Legislative Bulletin: A Critical Time for Advocacy

Final Budget Bills Expected Next Week
Since last week, the General Budget Committee and subcommittees have met to discuss their budget priorities. Yesterday, the General Budget Committee announced table targets, which are used as a base when negotiating a final budget: $55 million has been allocated for Health/Medicaid spending and $90 million has been allocated for Human Services/Labor. LeadingAge NY and Hinman Straub, the association’s counsel, is working closely with lawmakers and central staff, to ensure remaining LeadingAge NY priorities are included in a final budget.

During these critical remaining days of budget negotiations, we encourage you to continue advocating on issues that will have an impact on your organization and those you serve. Please reach out to your legislators, especially if your legislators are on the Health or Human Services budget subcommittees – those legislators can be found in italics below. You can find all lawmakers’ contact information here. To help you with this advocacy initiative, we have created the following advocacy materials to help develop your organization’s "ask." Be sure to tell your legislators the impact that these proposals will have on your organization, the individuals you serve and the people you employ.

Health Budget Subcommittee Members – Assembly: Richard Gottfried (Co-Chair); Kevin Cahill; Steven Cymbrowitz; Anthony Brindisi; Maritza Davila; Roxanne Persaud; Andrew Raia; Raymond Walter. Senate: Kemp Hannon (Co-Chair);David Valesky; William Larkin; Cathy Young; Martin Golden; Gustavo Rivera; Kevin Parker
Human Services Budget Subcommittee Members – Assembly: Michele Titus (Co-Chair); Peter Abbate; Donna Lupardo; Andrew Hevesi; Victor Pichardo; Michael Blake; Andy Goodell; Ken Blankenbush. Senate: Jack Martins (Co-Chair); Diane Savino; Simcha Felder;Terrence Murphy; Michael Venditto; Velmanette Montgomery; James Sanders

E-Prescribing Legislation Approved by Governor
Late last week, Governor Cuomo approved legislation that delays the implementation of the e-prescribing mandate for one year. The new effective date is March 27, 2016. The e-prescribing mandate is part of the recent Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing (I-STOP) law. LeadingAge NY worked with other stakeholders to advocate for the extension so providers can have more time to ensure the necessary systems are in place for the transition. Click here to read the language approved by the Governor. Thank you to all of our members who advocated on this priority. We will be sure to keep members updated on the issue.

Health Care Industry Supports Governor’s New NY Broadband Program
More than 32 health care providers, associations, including LeadingAge NY, and groups have signed on to support Governor Cuomo’s #Broadband4All campaign, which would dramatically expand the State’s broadband infrastructure. The $1 billion program would ensure that all New Yorker’s have access to high-speed Internet by 2018, including the public and private sectors. To learn more about the program or to show your support, click here.

Congress's “Doc Fix” Deal
Congress reached a $213 billion deal yesterday, which if passed, would repeal the Sustainable Growth-Rate (SGR) formula used for paying doctors. The $213 billion will be partially financed by $35 billion in cuts to Medicare benefits, and another $35 billion is expected to come from provider payments. A vote is expected in Congress next week.

There is also concern relating to therapy caps, which were implemented in 1997 to limit Medicare spending. LeadingAge National and providers have advocated extensively on the issue, which if imposed on Medicare beneficiaries, according to Larry Minnix, could lead to "suffering, increased hospitalizations and huge out-of-pocket costs for elders who have experienced serious illnesses and injuries." There is hope that there will be two year extension pertaining to therapy caps. More information will be available next week.

LeadingAge National will be providing State organizations and members with advocacy materials, so please keep an eye on your inbox in the coming days.

House Republican Budget Includes Massive Cuts
Earlier this week, House Republicans released their budget proposal, which was passed by the House Budget committee, yesterday. The proposal calls for trillions of dollars in cuts over a 10 year period, repeals the Affordable Care Act and turns Medicaid into a block grant. Click here to view a comparison of the President’s proposal and the House’s proposal. Help ensure that seniors are protected by taking action with LeadingAge National.

Less than Two Months Until the PAC Golf Tournament!
Join us for the LeadingAge NY PAC Golf Tournament on Mon., May 18 at the Ballston Spa Country Club! Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available online. Breakfast and contests will begin at 10 a.m., followed by an 18-hole tournament and driving range/pro-clinic session for those who just want to do a bit of practicing. Not a golfer? Not to worry, you can make your PAC contribution here.

Contact: Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8844