NEW YORK – With the passing of the new year, a number of new laws have taken effect throughout New York State. Senator Frederick J. Akshar II of the State's 52nd District released a statement late last week to acknowledge and weigh-in on some of the new laws.
“Each of these measures was passed in the 2016 Legislative Session with the same goal in mind: to help improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said Sen. Akshar. “Thanks to hard work and compromise, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle were able to accomplish much over this past year. For this, I am grateful. We listened to the people we represent, worked together and created tangible results that will benefit the lives of many across the state.”
Sen. Akshar continued to say, “Throughout my short time in the Senate I've focused on prevention, treatment & recovery, education and enforcement to help our community and our state battle the heroin and opioid addiction. I am proud to say that by working together, my colleagues and I were able to develop a comprehensive package of legislation that will provide many vital services to the community.
“These new laws to fight heroin and opioid addiction join others that will advance consumer protection regulations, increase access to benefits for veterans, cut taxes to reduce the heavy burdens facing our home and business owners, and increase government transparency.”
Of the laws taking effect aimed at tackling heroin and opioid addiction include: Ending prior insurance authorization for immediate access to inpatient treatment services; Using consistent criteria to determine the medical necessity of treatments; Authorizing emergency substance use disorder medication coverage by requiring insurance coverage, without prior authorization, for an emergency five-day supply of medications for treating a substance use disorder when emergency conditions exist; and Expanding access to Naloxone/opioid reversal medication coverage by requiring insurance coverage for the overdose reversal medication, whether it is prescribed to a person who is addicted to opioids or their family member covered under the same insurance plan.
