Assemblyman Dave McDonough today announced that Governor Paterson has signed into law three bills that will give patients more rights while also extending coverage to the unemployed and young adults. The assemblyman feels these measures should have a positive impact on New Yorkers concerned about their health care coverage during the current economic conditions, helping to lessen their anxiety.

“The last thing I want is for my constituents to be worrying about health care coverage for themselves or their children,” said Assemblyman McDonough. “My colleagues and I have worked hard to extend coverage to thousands of New Yorkers without increasing the burden of debt facing taxpayers of New York. With these bills, I believe we have accomplished both of those goals.”

Passed unanimously in the Assembly, A.8402 reforms managed care in New York that often times is subject to bureaucratic approval and ultimately costs patients and health care providers valuable time and money. This legislation prohibits insurers from treating an in-network provider as out-of-network on the basis that the referring provider was out-of-network. It also ensures that health care providers notify plan members in advance if there are to be reimbursement policy changes.

Also passed unanimously, A.8400 extended the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage from 18 to 36 months for those who worked at a business which employed less than 20 workers. Lastly, A.9038 requires insurers to allow unmarried children up to the age of 29 to be covered under a parent’s health insurance regardless of dependency status. The legislation also requires insurers to offer employers an option to buy plans that include young adults as dependents until the age of 29.

For more information on these new laws, please contact Assemblyman Dave McDonough at mcdonoughd1@assembly.state.ny.us.