As state legislators wrapped up the 2024 legislative session consumed by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s abrupt reversal on congestion pricing, many of the health care industry’s most closely watched bills failed to make it to a floor vote in both chambers. Medical Aid in Dying, a measure that would allow certain terminally ill New Yorkers to request medication to end their life, appeared poised to pass in the Assembly after winning the public support of Speaker Carl Heastie. But even recent decisions by the Medical Society of the State of New York, the New York State Academy of Family Physicians and the New York State Council of Churches to back the bill could not provide it with enough momentum to receive a floor vote. “This year we got closer than ever,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin, chair of the health committee and the bill’s sponsor in that chamber. “This bill remains my top priority and I will not give up until it is passed.” Fervent lobbying by AARP’s New York branch helped spur legislation to establish a wholesale drug importation program to the Senate floor in the final days of session, but a decision by Assembly Republicans that they wanted to debate the bill — after a vote started at about 5:45 a.m. Saturday — led it to be pulled from consideration for the year. “It is unfortunate the Assembly did not get the job done,” AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said in a statement. And a sweeping health data privacy bill, galvanized by the Dobbs Supreme Court ruling and freshly amended, died in the Assembly for the second year in a row. Among the pieces of legislation that did succeed was the Grieving Families Act, which would expand the statute determining which family members can bring a claim over a relative’s wrongful death and what kinds of damages they may be awarded. The health care industry remains opposed to the bill, which has twice been vetoed by Hochul. In the final days of session, lawmakers also green-lighted legislation that would expand workers’ compensation coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder, prohibit prior authorization for HIV/AIDS drugs and reform the regulatory process for hospital closures. IN OTHER NEWS: — NYC Health + Hospitals resident physicians voted 99.8 percent in favor of ratifying a new union contract with the city, the Committee of Interns and Residents said Friday. The agreement covers roughly 2,300 trainee doctors at city-run hospitals. Highlights of the contract include a 22.6 percent cumulative wage increase for first-year residents and ratification bonuses of at least $3,000 for all members. ON THE AGENDA: — Monday at 11 a.m. The New York State Coordinating Council for Services Related to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia will meet. — Thursday, 10:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Early Intervention Coordinating Council will convene for its quarterly meeting. GOT TIPS? Send story ideas and feedback to Maya Kaufman at mkaufman@politico.com. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You’ll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day’s biggest stories.
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