Pandemic spurs raft of bills from lawmakers
State lawmakers in the MidHudson region are pitching legislation related to the coronavirus pandemic.
State lawmakers in the Mid-Hudson region are pitching legislation related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The legislation would authorize additional health benefits for volunteer first responders, proposed policy changes concerning flu shots by independent pharmacists, a crackdown on price gouging, and a change in New York state’s presidential primary date.
State Sen. Sue Serino, RHyde Park, has introduced legislation that would expand benefits to volunteer ambulance workers and firefighters affected by the coronavirus.
“Our volunteer first responders go above and beyond to protect all of us and we have a responsibility to ensure that they have access to the resources they may need to be protected in a situation like the one we are experiencing,” said Serino, who represents the 41st Senate District. “We are grateful for their service to our community and thank them for their tireless efforts to help keep our communities safe and healthy.”
The legislation “amends the volunteer firefighters’ benefit law by adding a new section 11-d to provide that during a declared state of emergency, if a volunteer firefighter during the course of their duties is exposed to COVID-19, the chief engineer or other executive officer of the fire department may authorize immediate testing and treatment,” according to the bill.
“Additionally this section provides that any condition, impairment of health, or death resulting from COVID-19 would be covered by the volunteer firefighters benefit law,” the bill says.
The bill would also apply to volunteer ambulance workers.
“Our volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers put their lives on the line to help others without regard for the implications they or their families may face as the result of the dangers associated with their heroism,” the bill says. “Currently they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic without coverage under their existing injury and death benefits.”
State Sen. James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, says he has cosponsored a bill that would help empower independent pharmacists during the coronavirus pandemic and ease the burden on the larger healthcare industry.
The bill designates pharmacists as qualified health care professionals and allows them to complete Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing under their own practice, removing a significant barrier that currently requires them to hire a medical director — something most local pharmacists can’t afford, Skoufis said.
“CLIA waived testing allows for the screening and treatment process to be completed during a single encounter, improving access to care, counseling, and overall patient outcomes,” said Skoufis, who represents the 39th Senate District, in a prepared statement.
“As we see our hospital beds fill up with people testing positive for coronavirus, the capacity of our providers is going to be tested and we need to come up with innovative ways to ease that burden,” Skoufis said. “This bill will give independent pharmacists the ability to test for the flu and other illnesses to help rule out COVID-19 and ensure that hospital beds are reserved and resources are used for those who need them most.”
Steve Moore, president of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, called the legislation an “incredibly timely bill.
“While CLIA waived tests may not be immediately available for COVID-19, existing CLIA waived tests could be used to confirm or rule out other conditions, such as seasonal influenza, and, in turn, ease the burden of an already stressed healthcare system,” Moore said.
“As some of New York’s most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists
are a natural fit for CLIA waived testing privileges and we look forward to working with other stakeholders to bring these tests to our patients and communities,” Moore said.
Additionally, Skoufis introduced a bill to move New York’s presidential Democratic primary from Tuesday, April 28 to Tuesday, June 23.
“In response to the coronavirus pandemic and increased concern with communal contact, particularly with early voting, Senator Skoufis contends it is advantageous to take this extra step of caution and provide local communities more time to handle the immediate response to the virus,” the senator’s office said in a press release.
“Moving the primary to June will give communities more time to keep resources where they are essential and minimize unnecessary
group contact,” Skoufis said. “I’m deeply committed to continuing to stay on the front lines of this pandemic and do everything possible to keep New Yorkers healthy from this virus.”
Last week, lawmakers including state Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, lined up behind a bill to crack down on price gouging as a result of the coronavirus.
The legislation is winding its way through the state Legislature, and, if adopted, would thwart “badfaith
businesses looking to make a profit off the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis,” Mettzger, who represents the 42nd Senate District, said in a press release.
“At a time when the most vulnerable in our communities are at risk, it is absolutely shameful to hike up prices for goods that can help prevent illness and save lives,” Metzger said. “This legislation is intended to prevent unscrupulous businesses from profiting at the expense of public health.”