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Council Member Lynn Schulman discusses resolutions and advocates for the Fair Pricing Act
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120 sec
Council Member Lynn Schulman, chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Health, introduces two resolutions for voting and elaborates on Resolution 822-A, which calls for the passage of the Fair Pricing Act. She explains the Act's aim to address inflated costs of routine outpatient services in hospital settings and its potential benefits for New Yorkers.
- The Fair Pricing Act would cap payments for routine medical services at 150% of Medicare rates.
- Research suggests the Act could save New Yorkers approximately $1 billion if implemented in 2022.
- Schulman urges committee members to support the initiative for accessible and affordable healthcare.
Lynn Schulman
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Good morning, everyone.
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I am council member Lynn Schulman, chair of the New York City Council's committee on health.
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Today we will be voting on two resolutions, proposed resolution one sixty five b sponsored by council member Mercedes Narcisse and proposed resolution eight twenty two dash a sponsored by myself.
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Proposed resolution eight twenty two a calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign s seven zero five and a two one four zero also known as the Fair Pricing Act.
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This legislation addresses a pressing issue, inflated costs of routine outpatient services such as x rays, MRIs and immunizations when performed in hospital settings compared to independent clinics or doctor's offices.
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This discrepancy often results from hospitals acquiring outpatient facilities and imposing higher facility fees leading to increased financial burdens for patients.
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Under this legislation, payments for routine medical services would be capped at 150% of Medicare rates regardless of service location.
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This site neutral payment policy aims to eliminate unjustified price variations ensuring that patients are not overcharged because of where they receive care.
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Additionally, the act prohibits hidden facility fees and mandates greater transparency in health care pricing.
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Notably, research from the Brown University of Public Health concluded that if the Fair Pricing Act were implemented in 2022, it would have saved New Yorkers approximately $1,000,000,000 and would have reduced government spending on health care programs including saving the New York City health benefits program over $120,000,000.
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Therefore, by adopting this resolution, we advocate for a fairer health care system that prioritizes patients well-being over profit margins.
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I urge my fellow committee members to support this initiative reinforcing our commitment to accessible and affordable health care for all New Yorkers.
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Before we move to the vote, I will pass the mic to council member Narcisse to make a statement on her resolution.