Golden Supports Bill Fighting Against High Costs of Prescription Medications
State Senator Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend, Manhattan Beach) applauded passage of a bill that helps fight the high cost of prescriptions by preventing consumers from overpaying for medications last week.
The new measure (S6940), helps consumers become better informed about the price of drugs and prohibits two costly practices – gag clauses and clawbacks – used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Each have come into question recently as prescription drug prices continue to rise.
Additionally, the bill prohibits PBMs from imposing “gag clauses” in their contracts with pharmacies. Gag clauses prohibit pharmacists from telling consumers information regarding the price of medication, the availability of alternative medications, or that the drug may actually cost less if they pay out of pocket.
The legislation will also prohibit the practice of clawbacks in PBM contracts, which often result in profits generated for pharmacy benefit managers at the expense of unsuspecting customers. These clawbacks occur when a patient pays the pharmacy a copayment that is more than the actual cost of the drug. The PBM then recoups or “claws back” the excess cost collected by the pharmacy and actually makes money on the transaction. The legislation prohibits PBMs from charging a co-pay higher than the cost of the drug and prohibits them from taking additional discounts and fees from the pharmacy after the prescription has been dispensed and the claim adjudicated.
“With the cost of prescription drugs continuing to skyrocket, this legislation is necessary to ensure people are being afforded the opportunity to pay lower drug prices when possible. Co-pays should not exceed the cost of a drug and pharmacists should be allowed to tell a consumer when the cost of a drug is in fact cheaper if they pay out of pocket. We are sending a clear message that clawbacks and pharmacy gag practices are unacceptable here in New York,” said Golden.
Persaud Announces Rain Barrel Giveaway 2018
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) announced her annual Rain Barrel Giveaway event last week.
Persaud in partnership with the New York Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) will give away rain barrels next month in an effort to increase environmental conservation efforts in her district. This event is in alignment with Persaud’s advocacy for the environment and her concern for the ecological future of the communities her district encompasses and the state.
The rain barrels, which the DEP donated, are an efficient way to reduce water bills and to protect our waterways from sewer runoff pollution. Homeowners can use the collected water for washing their car, watering their gardens and other miscellaneous uses.
“I’m proud of the work my staff and I are doing to assist constituents to engage in environmental conservation for yet another year. This conservation initiative is in collaboration with the New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP). Rain barrels are an efficient way to reduce water bills and to protect our waterways from sewer runoff pollution. I am encouraged by the many ways homeowners use the rain barrels,” said Persaud.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., to 12-noon, Saturday, April 7, at Persaud’s District Office, at 1222 East 96th Street in Canarsie.
To receive a free rain barrel register online at persaud.nysenate.gov or call the District Office at 718-649-7653 no later than March 16, 2018.
Nadler Decries Sessions’ Elimination of Right to Hearing For Asylum Seekers
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Western Brooklyn, Western Manhattan), House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member denounced Justice Department Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to eliminate a requirement for those seeking asylum to have a full hearing before an immigration judge last week.
Last Wednesday, Sessions announced his decision as part of his effort to cut through a huge backlog of cases in a court system he says is subject to “rampant abuse and fraud,” according to the Washington Post.
Additionally, the decision vacates a 2014 ruling by the Justice Department’s Board of Immigration Appeals. The change will now allow immigration judges to reject asylum petitions without a full hearing if, upon initial review, they appear to be fraudulent or unlikely to succeed.
“This week, Attorney General Sessions unilaterally vacated a decision finding that asylum seekers are entitled to a full hearing, including the opportunity to provide oral testimony or other evidence. This decision by Attorney General Sessions represents a complete disregard for due process and an abandonment of our moral legacy to help those fleeing oppression and persecution,” said Nadler.
“Our U.S. asylum system provides protection for those who are fleeing dangerous situations because of their race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group. We should be honoring our legacy as a protector of the oppressed, and should not restrict due process for asylum seekers,” added Nadler.
CM Williams Reintroduces Right To Record Bill
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) reintroduced legislation commonly referred to as the ‘Right to Record’ Act last week at City Hall.
On Wednesday, Williams reintroduced the bill, now designated as Intro 721, that would prohibit New York City police officers or peace officers from taking any steps to prevent the recording of their activities, unless such recording would constitute the crime of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree. The bill also allows any individual who is prevented or discouraged from filming such activities to sue the City in state court.
The issue of civilians recording police activity, and its role in identifying police misconduct, has risen to prominence in recent years, notably in the cases of Eric Garner, Philando Castile, and others who have died during encounters with police officers.
The measure was initially introduced during the summer of 2016, and can now be considered by the New York City Council in this term.
