IMPROVING HEALTHCARE

Protecting Patient Access to Care

A former healthcare professional, Michelle supports legislation aimed at improving and protecting patient access to care, which is being threatened by the exorbitant costs of delivering care in New York State and the tactics used by health insurance companies to inappropriately delay, reduce and deny payment for necessary patient care. To help remedy this problem, Michelle has co-sponsored legislation (A.4301) that will help restore fairness in the contracting process between physicians and large managed care plans, and supports legislation (A.8280) that provides the State Insurance Superintendent with the authority to disapprove or modify unreasonable and excessive increases in health insurance premiums.

Michelle has also be an outspoken advocate in the fight to save cancer imaging. She has been a vocal opponent of the HCRA surcharge to radiologic and outpatient surgical services proposed in the Governor's 2010-2011 Executive Budget.

Increasing the Affordability of Healthcare

In the Assembly, Michelle has helped pass legislation to increase the affordability of prescription drugs by establishing a prescription drug discount program (A.2007). This legislation helps manage consumer prescription and medication purchasing power by negotiating rebates with suppliers, which would then be applied toward reduced prescription drug costs for participants. As your Assemblywoman, Michelle remains committed to ensuring that you and your family have access to quality and affordable healthcare.