April 24, 2023
Over the weekend state budget negotiations continued. It sounds like more serious negotiations on proposals beyond the ‘big ticket issues’ (housing plan, bail reform, etc.) are getting more attention. The next budget extender is expected to pass later this morning. The new extender will continue mandatory state operations spending until Friday, April 28.
On Friday, we heard that some of the insurance proposals we have been pushing for may be in trouble. As you may recall, the Senate included all of the governor’s proposed Article VII, Part ii Subparts A-F proposals in their one house bill, but as negotiations continue, opponents have more time to put doubt in the minds of our elected leaders. We are particularly concerned about the Network Adequacy proposal, and we must ensure that the expansions of services via commercial insurance make it to the finish line.
If you live or operate programs in an area of the state where you are represented by Senator Samra Brouck, Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Senator Neil Breslin or another member of the Senate Insurance Committee (see link here: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators-committees), please take a moment to send a note to your representative, call him, send a text – it all helps. Ask him to go to his leader (Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins) and request that she ensure passage of the behavioral health insurance proposals. We want your representative to let the Majority Leader know how important ALL of the proposals are to him. We want your representative to feel the heat from constituents so he will let the Leader know he must have these proposals in the final budget.
The insurance proposals we are worried about are in the Health/Mental Hygiene bill, Part ii. Subpart F – the Network Adequacy (NA) proposal would require New York to update and explicate NA standards insurers must comply with. Reform of the current standards is essential to expansion of equitable care but of course, there is major pushback from opponents who want to maintain the status quo.
At the present time, there are long waiting lists for care throughout the public mental hygiene system. Insurers must be held responsible for maintaining and expanding robust networks of community-based mental health and substance use disorder providers to meet increased need. The Network Adequacy proposal plays a critical role in advancing these objectives, and we need the Senate to stand in and fight for all of the proposals.
Thank you so much for your efforts!
Please let me know if I can provide an assist. I’m available to you at 518 461-8200 at your convenience.