Requires the New York state health care quality and cost containment commission to issue a report on coverage for chronic Lyme disease

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to meetings and reports of the New York state health care quality and cost containment commission

Purpose

To require the New York State Health Care Quality and Cost Containment Commission to meet each year, and to submit a report on the impact of providing insurance coverage for Lyme and other tick-borne related diseases.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Requires the commission to meet on the first Monday after the first of January of each year to consider any outstanding requests or duties. Also requires that the commission submits a report to the governor and legislature which considers the impact on health insurance costs of requiring coverage of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases by May 1, 2017.

Section 2: Provides the effective date.

Justification

Currently, health insurance companies are not required to cover long term treatment for those who suffer from chronic Lyme or other related diseases, and for many New Yorkers, this is devastating. Those suffering from chronic Lyme can experience extreme fatigue, nausea, depression, joint pain and many other symptoms. Rhode Island and Connecticut have recognized the toll these diseases take on victims by passing legislation which requires that Lyme disease be covered by insurance.

This bill is the first major step in establishing a conversation on what can be done to address this issue in New York and figuring out what a solution would look like. No individual should be left with the choice of covering the exorbitant costs needed to combat Lyme disease or sacrificing their quality of life because they cannot afford the necessary treatment.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.