Bill Memos

Remote Ultrasounds and Fetal Non-Stress Tests

Memorandum of Support

Re: S7690 Webb / A8168 Paulin
Provides Medicaid coverage for remote ultrasound scans and remote fetal non-stress tests 

The above-referenced legislation would ensure that remote ultrasound scans and remote fetal non-stress tests are covered by Medicaid. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly supports this bill.

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Defining Human Embryo as “Tissue”

Memorandum of Opposition

Re: A117-A Paulin / S3230-A Hoylman-Sigal 
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.

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Collection and Publication of Policy-Based Exclusions

Memorandum of Opposition

Re: S1003-A Hinchey / A733-A Rozic
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Mothers and Infants Lasting Change (“MILC”) Allowance

Memorandum of Support

Re: S4578 Ramos/A6197 Clark
Establishes the Mothers and Infants Lasting Change (“MILC”) allowance

The above-referenced legislation would establish an income allowance for eligible participants during the last three months of pregnancy and the first 18 months of the child’s life. It would also exclude income received from this allowance for purposes of supplemental nutrition assistance eligibility. The New York State Catholic Conference supports this important measure.

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