The Business Council of New York State, Inc.

2003 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
HEALTH

Staff Contact: Mark Amodeo

Following is The Business Council's 2003 Legislative Program. It identifies priority issues to be addressed by the Committees and Councils during 2003.

  • Lobby the Administration to launch an initiative to cut health-care costs ten percent for New York employers.

  • Support adoption of performance payment plans that base health-care payments on quality outcomes, with particular emphasis on disease state management.

  • Support regional health initiatives designed to publicly measure quality of care delivered, including the Niagara Health Quality Coalition, Excellus, IPRO and the Rochester Health Commission. Actively provide technical and political assistance to these groups.

  • Support implementation of Leapfrog improvements in New York State, including a) physician order entry systems, b) centers for excellence and c) improved staffing of intensive care units. Promote adoption of Leapfrog by the State, including for its' workforce.

  • Work with government officials, particularly the Attorney General, to encourage collaboration between health care providers where appropriate.

  • Support proposals to make health insurance more affordable by a) allowing employers to purchase a foundation plan - similar to Healthy New York - free of some insurance mandates, b) opposing new mandates and creating a cost-benefit commission, and c) assisting chambers with implementation of the sole proprietor law.

  • Support reduction in the covered lives assessment and 8.18% bad debt/charity care assessment.

  • Support the reduction of excess capacity of hospital beds in New York State.

  • Support state initiatives that promote corporate wellness programs.

  • Support public ownership of long-term care facilities in New York State.

  • Support a prohibition of health insurance rate increases being imposed unless thirty days advance written notice has been provided to the policyholder.

  • Support medical liability tort reform and strongly oppose expansion of liability to health plans and self-insured funds.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc.
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