Today the Governor began what will be a four-part series to his State of the State address. His rhetoric focused framing our current situation as war-like and calling on the Federal Government to provide financial relief.
Today’s overview included 7 areas that he wants to move forward simultaneously:
- Defeat COVID
- Vaccinate NY
- Manage Budget Crisis
- Invest in Future
- Transition to Green Energy
- Understand the Long-Term Effects of COVID
- Address systemic injustices
Of particular interest to the medical community, he mentioned:
- Managing hospitalizations
-
Looking at the public health system by
- Creating the Medical Supplies Act – which would have NY manufacture medical supplies and sell them across the state
- Increase in outlets for vaccine distribution
- Creation of a public health corps (lead by Cornell/Northwell) to increase emergency response and vaccinations
- Public training for NY health emergency volunteers (on-demand training - Cornell)
- Expand Telehealth legislation: more details here
- Legalize Adult Use Cannabis: more details here
What he didn’t mention in his overview but was released by his press office is a proposal to reform OPMC. According to the website: “The Governor will introduce legislation to update the Public Health Law to strengthen disciplinary actions for misconduct resulting in better misconduct enforcement and increased patient safety. In addition, the Governor will propose reforms to the investigation and hearing processes to ensure that the Office can act swiftly to hold physicians accountable, confirm investigations, and keep patients safe.” More details can be found here
He also spoke on mobile sports betting, increase in construction, affordable broad band, green energy, social injustice and housing.
A listing of the proposals can be found here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/keywords/2021-state-state
The NYS Legislature is scheduled for session today beginning at 2:30pm for the Assembly and 3:00pm for the Senate. They are scheduled to meet for a total of 60 session days, running through June 10. The legislature changed its rules to allow for virtual voting and meeting. A calendar of session days is found here.
The pandemic and increasing deficit will be the main issue for the Governor and Legislature so we will see how it influences policy, especially health care. Citing New York’s deficit, estimated at $15 billion in the current fiscal year and an additional $16 billion in the fiscal year beginning on April 1st, the Governor is calling for legalized marijuana and sports betting to bring in revenue. We will see how the legislature responds. Progressive advocates, including those in support of the New York Health Act, are pushing for a package of measures designed to increase taxes on the wealthy, including increasing taxes on billionaires, a tax on inherited wealth, a capital gains tax and taxes for Wall Street and corporations.
