Bill Memos
Hospice and Palliative Care Access & Quality
Memorandum of Support
Re: A5587 Wallace / S4858 Hinchey
Establishes the offices of hospice and palliative care access and quality
The above-referenced bill would establish the office of hospice and palliative care access and quality. Sadly, this important legislation was vetoed by the Executive last year. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly supports this bill, and we hope to see it passed again and signed into law.
Physician-Assisted Suicide
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A995-A Paulin/S2445-A Hoylman-Sigal
Relates to the medical aid in dying act
The above-referenced bill would add a new section of the Public Health Law to allow physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medication for the express purpose of ending a patient’s life.
The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this bill for many reasons.
Defining the human embryo as “tissue”
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: S3230-A Hoylman-Sigal / A117-A Paulin
In relation to defining the human embryo as “tissue”
The above-referenced bill would add the “embryo” to the definition of human tissue under our Public Health Law. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation.
Reimbursement to School Districts for CVA Settlements
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A6201 Brown, K
In relation to reimbursement to school districts for CVA settlements
The above-referenced legislation would authorize the state to reimburse public school districts for Child Victims Act (CVA) settlements or judgments. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation.
Prohibited Hospital Interference with Patient Care
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A5297 Paulin / S6616 May
Relates to prohibited hospital interference with patient care
The above-referenced legislation would purportedly prohibit hospital interference with patient care where the practitioner is acting in good faith and within their scope of practice. The bill is a clear violation of the rights of Catholic hospitals, and yet another attempt to disrupt the exceptional services that they provide.
Down Syndrome Diagnosis Awareness
Memorandum of Support
Re: A4138-A McMahon
In relation to Down syndrome diagnosis awareness
The above-referenced legislation would create a Down syndrome awareness program to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information on Down syndrome to health care providers who order tests for a pregnant woman or infants to screen for Down syndrome. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.
Coverage for Prenatal Vitamins
Memorandum of Support
Re: S1965 Addabbo / A3865 Gunther
In relation to coverage for prenatal vitamins
The above-referenced bill would require certain health and casualty insurers to provide coverage for prenatal vitamins. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.
Support and Services for Unaccompanied Minors
Memorandum of Support
Re: A3271 Hevesi / S4419 Fernandez
Provides for support and services for unaccompanied minors with no lawful immigration status
The above-referenced legislation would provide a variety of supports and services to minors in New York State who have entered the United States unaccompanied and without lawful immigration status. Services include health and behavioral health services under the Child Health Insurance Program, counseling sessions with social workers, legal services, language services, employment assistance, bilingual support groups, and enrollment in public schools.
The New York State Catholic Conference supports this legislation.
Policy-Based Exclusions
Memorandum of Opposition
Re: A733-A Rozic / S1003-A Hinchey
Relates to providing information to patients and the public on policy-based exclusions
The above referenced bill would require the commissioner of health to collect from each healthcare facility a list of its policy-based exclusions and publish such information on the department’s website. The New York State Catholic Conference is opposed to this legislation.
Rural Suicide Prevention Council
Memorandum of Support
Re: A7188 Gunther
Establishes the Rural Suicide Prevention Council
The above referenced bill would establish a Rural Suicide Prevention Council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this important legislation.