Governor Paterson Announces New State Website on Federal Health Care Reform and Implementation
New York Governor David A. Paterson announced on July 8, 2010, the launch of a new State website on Federal health care reform. Several reforms take effect this summer, including a temporary high risk pool for people with medical conditions that are expensive to treat, an early retiree reinsurance program that will help offset the cost of providing health insurance to retirees age 55 and over who are not eligible for Medicare, and the mailing of rebate checks to Medicare Part D enrollees who reach the "donut hole" coverage gap. The website - www.HealthCareReform.ny.gov - includes descriptions of health care reform, how it will benefit New Yorkers, and the progress of implementation in the State. The website also includes information on how residents can obtain health insurance coverage and the public programs already in place in the State. The website also includes a timeline of when specific provisions of health care reform, not just the ones this summer, go into effect. The effects of the new national health law benefitted New York last monthwhen it was announced that New York would receive a$2.9 million grant from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to New York State to conduct a pilot program to reduce expenses associated with medical malpractice lawsuits by encouraging early settlement and by improving patient safety to reduce preventable medical injuries. The hospitals will receive funds that can be applied to patient safety initiatives and will contribute significant in kind funds to implement their functions under the grant. The grant is one of the $25 million in grants set to be handed out to states and health care systems under the health care reform bill. The lawyers at Levine & Slavit have decades of experience handling personal injury claims including those involving medical malpractice. For 50 years spanning 3 generations, we have obtained results for satisfied clients. We have offices in Manhattan and Long Island, handling cases in New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and surrounding areas. To learn more, watch our videos.