Good Samaritan Overdose Laws Save Lives
May 3, 2013
A recent op-ed article in the New York Times, http://nyti.ms/YfclTf , tells heartbreaking stories of what happens when people are afraid to call for necessary emergency medical services. Most accidental drug overdose deaths are preventable if emergency...
Assembly Health Committee Advances 21 Bills
Feb 12, 2013
The Assembly Committee on Health favorably reported 21 bills at meetings on Tuesday, January 29, and Tuesday, February 5, including legislation to protect patients in the event of denials of insurance coverage and to improve patient handling standards...
Standing Up for Patients: 7 Bills Advanced by Assembly Health Committee
Jan 29, 2013
The Assembly Committee on Health favorably reported 7 bills on Thursday, January 24, including legislation to ensure that patients know their rights in hospital settings and that visually impaired patients receive audio recordings of their discharge plans....
Protecting New Yorkers from Environmental Health Risks
Jan 15, 2013
The Assembly Committee on Health favorably reported 10 bills at its first meeting of the new legislative session on Tuesday, January 15, including legislation to combat lead poisoning and to protect air quality at day care facilities. For more information...
Medical Marijuana Clears Assembly Health Committee
May 22, 2012
The bill to let patients suffering from serious debilitating or life-threatening conditions be treated with marijuana under medical supervision was favorably reported from the Assembly Committee on Health on Tuesday, May 15 with a majority of Minority...
Advocates Press for Medical Marijuana Bill
May 16, 2012
Patients suffering from serious debilitating or life-threatening conditions could be treated with medical marijuana under medical supervision under a bill key legislators announced today. The bill has substantial support among the medical community, patient...
Health Care for All New Yorkers Bill Introduction
May 8, 2012
When: Tuesday May 8, 2012 at 12 P.M.
Where: Legislative Office BuildingLCA Room 130Albany, New York
What: All New York residents would receive comprehensive health coverage under "New York Health," a universal health care bill to be introduced...
Health Budget: Good Work, More to Do
Mar 30, 2012
Statement byAssembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfriedon New State Budget Adopted Friday
The health portion of the state budget includes important reforms to help control health care costs while protecting and improving the quality and accessibility...
State Legislators Line Up to Support the Affordable Care Act
Jan 11, 2012
Over 450 legislators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will today announce their joint filing of an amicus (friend of the court) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 federal...
Avoiding Another Love Canal: Support a Moratorium on Hydrofracking
Nov 30, 2011
My name is Richard N. Gottfried. I represent the 75th Assembly District in Manhattan and I am the Chair of the NYS Assembly Committee on Health. I appreciate the opportunity to testify today before the Department of Environmental Conservation at this...
Medicaid Investigation Bill Approved by Legislature
Jun 23, 2011
The state agency that investigates health care providers under Medicaid would be required to follow some new rules under a bill (A.5686-A/S.3184-A) passed by both houses of the State Legislature this week. The bill would set forth standards for the Office...
Health Care for All New Yorkers Bill Introduced
Jun 7, 2011
All New York residents would receive comprehensive health coverage under “New York Health,” a universal health care bill introduced by key legislators today. Under the plan, publicly-sponsored coverage would replace insurance company coverage, and...
Adoptee Rights, Asthma, Anti-Smoking, and Due Process among Issues Moving in Albany
Apr 14, 2011
The Assembly Committee on Health favorably reported 12 bills on Tuesday, April 12. For more information on a particular bill, please contact the sponsor listed after the description. For the text of a bill, its supporting memorandum, and information on...
New HIV Policies Become Law
Dec 21, 2010
New laws to promote HIV testing and safe disposal of syringes were signed by Governor Paterson on Friday. Both bills were sponsored by Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried and Senate Health Committee chair Thomas K. Duane.
The HIV...
End-of-Life Counseling Bill Signed by Governor
Aug 16, 2010
Physicians treating patients diagnosed with a terminal illness or condition will be required to offer the patient information about options for end-of-life care including hospice, aggressive pain management, palliative sedation, and other palliative...
Midwife Reform Bill Signed into Law
Aug 2, 2010
Licensed professional midwives will be able to practice independently under a bill signed into law by Governor David Paterson. “This is an important step forward for women’s health,” said Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried, author...
Organ Donation Online Registration Bill Signed Into Law
Jul 8, 2010
Enrolling in New York’s organ donor registry will now be much easier under a bill signed into law by Governor David Paterson, his office announced today. The Electronic Signature Act, written by Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried and...
Hospital Closure Protection Bill Advances Through Assembly Health Committee
Apr 29, 2010
When a hospital proposes to close, communities often feel they have no voice in the decision. To help include communities in the process, the Assembly Committee on Health on Tuesday approved the Hospital Closure Planning Act, sponsored by Assembly Member...