Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his annual State of the State address on Wednesday, outlining his vision for the 2020 legislative session. The Governor briefly mentioned the looming $6.1 billion budget deficit and the Medicaid gap, saying the system has become “unsustainable.” He also noted New York’s “remarkable achievement” in getting 95% of citizens healthcare coverage.
Cuomo’s “Healthier New York” proposal in his State of the State involves three parts:
- Ensuring access to affordable healthcare
- Combating the opioid epidemic
- Improving public health
Ensuring Access to Affordable Healthcare
- Lowering prescription drug prices
- Increasing transparency in healthcare costs
- Expanding protections from surprise medical bills
Combating the Opioid Epidemic
- Banning fentanyl analogs
- Expanding access to medication-assisted treatment
Improving Public Health
- Crackdown on illegal cigarette sales
- Stop vaping products from getting into the hands of youth
- Enhancing physician integrity and accountability
- Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics
Read more about Governor Cuomo’s proposals here (pages 260-291)