Physical Therapy Bill passes in both the Assembly and the Senate!

What's Happening in the New York State Legislature
Updated June 2007

• New York State Senate
• New York State Assembly

Senate #881, sponsor: Padavan

Assembly # 2139, sponsor: Paulin

Our PT bill passed the Senate on June 20, 2007. It had previously passed the Assembly.
The bill, once signed into law by Governor Spitzer, will allow Licensed Midwives to refer directly to Physical Therapists. This will add LM to the list of other health care providers who can already refer directly: MD, Dentists, Podiatrists and Nurse Practitioners. It would not allow us to 'give directive as to care', meaning it is still up to the PT to determine the type of therapy used.

Thank you to everyone for lobbying on this bill the last 4 years!!

Non-Discrimination Bill

Senate #4019 , sponsor: Hannon

Assembly#5505, sponsor: Gottfried

Summary:

This Bill would amend current Public Health Law to extend professional privileges granted by hospitals to licensed midwives. This would prevent a hospital from discriminating against midwives by class, and ensure that an application for clinical privileges would be considered on an individual basis. Therefore, a hospital could no longer state that it is institutional policy not to have midwives, for example. Full staff privileges also extends due process protection and voting rights to those with staff privileges.

Current activity:

This Bill has already passed the full Assembly and is in the Senate Health committee. In order to move out, and be voted by the full Senate, Senator Hannon needs to push it. Although Hannon is the Bill's sponsor, he has concerns about opposition from the state hospital organization (HANYS). HANYS typically opposes any Bill which appears to regulate a hospital. In order to encourage Hannon to actively move on our Bill, NYSALM has presented his office (last year, reviewed with them this year) with a folder of letters of support from physicians and hospital directors, heads of OB depts. etc., as well as supporting documentation of how this assists in continuity of care for women. There is documentation demonstration that ACOG does not oppose this Bill, and this year, there is no letter of opposition from HANYS. This month NYSALM received a letter of support from the NYS Perinatal Association urging the passage of the Bill. Hannon staffer, new this year, had a grandmother who was a midwife, and is supportive & helpful. Currently, we await a requested memo of support (or response) from NYS ACOG, and are considering a meeting with HANYS. Mary Anne Laffin and Kristin Walsh speak weekly with our lobbyists. The legislative session ends June 24th.

Breastfeeding Bill:

Senate #1674, sponsor: Kreuger

Assembly #3782, sponsor: Gunther

Summary:

NYSALM is a supporter of this Bill, which establishes a "Breastfeeding Mother's Bill of Rights". Among other things, the Bill of Rights guarantees that woman will be provided the necessary information and education regarding the benefits of breastfeeding, and that she may begin nursing as soon as medically feasible, and subsequently nurse anywhere it is legal to be.

Current Activity:

NYSALM is a supporter of this Bill. The Bill is currently in the health Committee.

For further information on any of the above Bills, see the NYS legislature websites for the Assembly and Senate, and look up a specific Bill, or check the NYSALM website for summaries on these and other Bills.

Emergency Contraception Bill

Senate #3579, sponsor Winner

Assembly #5569, sponsor Paulin

Summary:

This Bill would extend the age at which a women could receive EC over the counter to those under 18.

Current Activity:

NYSALM is a supporter, not initiator of this Bill. It has now passed Assembly Ways & Means committee. We are awaiting full Assembly vote.

If you have not yet joined NYSALM for 2007---please click here to join. If you are a practicing midwife in New York State it is up to you to help support the political action needed by your profession!