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Governor's First “Partnership for Coverage” Hearing Held In Glens Falls

Patient Advocates, Physicians, Business, Insurance Industry Representatives Among Those Testifying

GLENS FALLS, NY (09/05/2007; 1203)(readMedia)-- The first of six public hearings to be held across New York State was held today in Glens Falls in connection with Governor Eliot Spitzer’s “Partnership for Coverage” initiative to make affordable, patient-centered health care available to all New Yorkers.

At the Governor’s direction, the hearing was conducted by New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., and Insurance Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo to obtain public input on proposals for achieving health system reform and affordable universal coverage. Approximately 20 representatives of patient advocacy agencies, health care providers, the insurance industry, business and labor groups presented testimony.

“The goal of the Partnership for Coverage is the development of a comprehensive strategy to move towards universal coverage” said Commissioner Daines. “Improvements in health care quality and affordability must go hand in hand with efforts to expand health insurance coverage, because if we don’t improve New York’s health care delivery system, we won’t have the resources to achieve universal coverage.”

“I expect this hearing to be extremely helpful,” said Superintendent Dinallo. “It is essential that we hear from stakeholders, experts, and most of all the public on making health care affordable and accessible for all. While there is widespread consensus on the goals, we need everyone’s wisdom and support for a practical set of building blocks for accessible and affordable health care.”

The hearing also featured four health care experts: James Tallon, president of the United Hospital Fund; Mark Scherzer, legislative counsel for New Yorkers for Accessible Health Coverage; former Lieutenant Governor Stan Lundine; and Elizabeth Moore, a partner at Nixon Peabody and former counsel to Governor Mario Cuomo.

Additional hearings will be held on October 3 in Buffalo; October 30 in New York City; November 13 in Syracuse; November 26 in Rochester; and December 5 on Long Island. More information is available at: http://partnership4coverage.ny.gov.