News releases were issued by
both the New York State Nurses Association and AARP taking issue with
the set up of the state?s Health Care Reform Advisory Committee, a
panel that will work to help New York comply with and implement the
federal health-care legislation. Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday named
37 organizations to the committee; including those that represent
health-care providers, businesses, consumers, local governments,
organized labor, health insurers, health plans, and health-policy
experts.
It seems that the governor left out some groups that
should be included in the committee, such as the Nurses Association,
according to the group. Since the President Barack Obama himself has
recognized the nurses and he believe that they are the front liners
and an integral part reforming health care, the association said. The
governor ?doesn?t seem to have the same respect for nurses or a
clear understanding of the vital role registered nurses play in
patient care,? the organization?s release said. The association
has more than 36,000 members
Tina Gerardi, a registered and CEO of the Nurses
Association, asked in a statement, ?Without the expertise and ideas
of bedside nurses who know how our state?s healthcare system works
and how it could work better. How will New York translate federal
healthcare reform into programs that provide all New Yorkers with
better care at lower costs??
In a statement from AARP New York Director, Lois
Aronstein, she said that the governor should have named a
representative of the group to the panel and hopes the governor will
have older New Yorkers in mind when implementing the health-care
reform law. There are more than 2.3 million AARP members in New York.
?AARP is dismayed to see that the recently announced
Governor?s Health Care Reform Advisory Committee did not include
the largest organization representing the interests of New York
State?s 50 plus population,? Aronstein points out. ?Considering
that many of the new health care law?s provisions will directly
benefit those over the age of 50, especially older persons and their
families, the failure of the Governor to include AARP is very
disappointing.?
The Governor's Health Care
Reform Cabinet will be advised by the committee. The cabinet is
responsible for scheduling deadlines for completing interim or final
steps necessary to abide by with the law decide which stipulations
are binding and which are optional, and whether the state should take
part in optional programs; calling shots whether whether any changes,
are necessary in state, statute, or regulations; communicating with
the federal government, local governments, other states, health-care
providers and others; and supporting public outreach.
Wendy Saunders, chairwoman of the cabinet and the
governor?s deputy secretary for health, Medicaid and oversight
said, ?Implementing federal health care reform is a complex task,
and many decisions must be made by the end of this year.?
The following are the groups named by the Governor
included in the Health Care Reform Advisory Committee:
? 1199 SEIU
? AFL-CIO
? Business and Labor Coalition of New York
? Business Council of New York State
? Centerstate CEO
? Chamber Alliance of New York State
? Children?s Defense Fund
? Coalition of New York State Public Health Plans
? Community Health Care Association of New York State
? Community Service Society
? Consumer Directed Choices
? Empire Justice Center
? Family Planning Advocates
? Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
? Greater New York Hospital Association
? Health Care for All New York
? Healthcare Association of New York State
? Hispanic Federation
? Medicaid Matters
? Medical Society of the State of New York
? Medicare Rights Center
? National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS
? New York Health Plan Association
? New York Immigration Coalition
? New York State Association of Counties
? New York State Association of Health Underwriters
? New York State Conference of Blue Cross Plans
? New York State Council for Community Behavioral
Healthcare
? New York State Health Foundation
? New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage
? Office of the Mayor of New York City
? P2 Collaborative of Western New York
? Partnership for New York City
? Project CHARGE
? United Hospital Fund
? Visiting Nurse Service of New York
? Young Invincibles