Laura
06-16-2009, 11:58 PM
Dear New Yorker,
Governor Paterson made two announcements today regarding the future of health care in New York State. Copies of the releases are below.
- The Office of Governor Paterson
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES LANDMARK GATHERING OF STEM CELL RESEARCHERS IN ALBANY
More Than 100 of New York’s Preeminent Scientists Gather Today in Capital Region
Scientific Research Core Component of Governor Paterson’s Plan to Make New York Global Leader in New Economy
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that more than 100 of the New York’s preeminent scientists are gathering in Albany today to discuss progress made in stem cell research. The meeting is the first under the banner of the New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) program, which was established in 2007 in the first year of the State’s historic 11-year, $600 million initiative to support stem cell research.
“New York is home to the brightest scientific minds working at the finest research institutions and universities. Bringing all of this talent together is one of the first steps in establishing New York as the global leader in vital stem cell research,” said Governor Paterson. “Innovation in science will also help put New Yorkers to work, and position our State to lead the New Economy for years to come.”
“Stem Cell Science in New York State: Emerging Opportunities” highlights the work of 25 research institutions that were the first recipients of $14.5 million in NYSTEM funding. The grants were targeted to supplement existing stem cell research projects, support the purchase of research equipment and core research facilities and support training to increase the capacity of New York institutions to engage in stem cell research.
The one-day, intensive scientific meeting brings together stem cell researchers responsible for a wide array of stem cell biology-related research topics under investigation at diverse institutions across the State, including academic medical centers, freestanding biomedical research centers, and public and private universities and colleges.
“As a result of Governor Paterson’s strong leadership and support for stem cell research, this State funding is providing an economic boost by invigorating New York’s biotechnology industry and will ultimately translate into potential new treatments and cures for devastating diseases,” said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. “The sharing of information at this scientific meeting will help foster a strong stem cell research community in New York State and advance the field of stem cell science.”
Commissioner Daines will address the scientific meeting in his role as Chair of the Empire State Stem Cell Board, which recommends grant awards for research, infrastructure development, training, and ethical, legal and social implications, as well as education related to stem cell research. To date, the Board has committed $166 million in all funding categories. Funds are administered by NYSTEM staff in the State Health Department's Wadsworth Center laboratories.
Following Dr. Daines’ opening remarks, Susan Solomon, chief executive officer of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, a Manhattan-based private philanthropy organization that supports stem cell research through research grants, training opportunities, and infrastructure support, will deliver a keynote address. Ms. Solomon will speak on Opportunity for Excellence: The Critical Role of State Programs in the New Federal Landscape.
-more-
Plenary talks will focus on several research topics, including: tissue engineering; stem cells in their natural environment in model organisms such as plants, fruit flies and mice; and stem cells of the nervous system and their potential use in disease treatments. In addition, Dr. Allen Spiegel, dean of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will moderate a panel discussion about the opportunities and challenges of translating basic science discoveries into clinically useful applications.
The meeting was planned by the NYSTEM science team at Wadsworth in conjunction with a planning committee of representatives from funded institutions chaired by Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., the Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor at Rockefeller University. The event is the first of what is expected to be annual scientific meetings conducted for the State’s stem cell science community.
The scientists will discuss their research on Friday, June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Road, in Colonie. The full meeting agenda is available here.
For more information on Governor Paterson’s New Economy initiative, please click here.
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FEDERAL APPROVAL OF NEW YORK’S EXPANSION OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE
Governor Paterson Applauds Obama Administration’s Approval of Child Health Plus, Which Currently Serves 386,000 New York Children
Paves Way for $64 Million in Federal Matching Funds
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York is now eligible to receive $64 million in new federal funding to support the expansion of New York’s children’s health insurance program known as Child Health Plus. On Thursday, President Obama approved the expansion, and made that approval retroactive to September of 2008.
The expansion of Child Health Plus was part of the 2007-08 State budget, increasing the income eligibility for the program from 250 to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The eligibility expansion made approximately 70,000 additional uninsured children eligible for coverage, representing a change from approximately $46,000 annual income for a family of three to $73,000 for a family of three.
“This is a win for New York’s children and another example of President Obama’s commitment to providing access to affordable health insurance to all Americans. This federal funding will provide fiscal relief and allow us to reach more children at a time when access to affordable health insurance is more critical than ever for New York’s families,” said Governor Paterson. “I want to express my deep gratitude to President Obama as well as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. As a former Governor, Secretary Sebelius understands firsthand the importance of providing quality affordable health care to children.”
In addition to approving the expansion, the Obama Administration agreed to allow the State to add two new exceptions to the six-month waiting period for families who drop employer coverage to enroll their children in Child Health Plus. As a result, children under age five will be exempt from the waiting period, an important exception that will preserve continuity of care for young children during the years access to health care is most critical to their growth and development. An additional exception would be granted for parents who no longer can afford the cost of private coverage, when that cost exceeds 5 percent of a family’s income.
As of May 2009, Child Health Plus covered 386,000 children in New York State. Since the expansion to 400 percent of the federal poverty level last September, an additional 22,000 children have been enrolled. New York has also reduced barriers to enrollment, making it easier for families to get and keep their coverage, and increased outreach in communities to inform New Yorkers about the availability of the program.
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines M.D., said: “Support by Governor Paterson, and now the federal government, for the expansion of New York’s Child Health Plus program means that every child in New York State will have the opportunity to grow up healthy. Since health insurance just for children is generally not available in the private market, Child Health Plus offers the only way thousands of New York families can get coverage for their children.”
The federal approval comes nearly two years after the Bush Administration denied New York’s request for federal matching funding support the program. Following that denial, Governor Paterson proposed and the Legislature agreed to expand the program with state-only funding effective September 1, 2008. In March, the State Health Department submitted a new request for funding for the expansion as part of a State plan amendment to the Children’s Health Insurance program.
Under New York’s Child Health Plus program, health care is delivered by commercial health plans. Except for children in families with the lowest incomes, participation in Child Health Plus requires personal contributions by families in the form of monthly premiums based on a sliding scale according to family income.
Governor Paterson made two announcements today regarding the future of health care in New York State. Copies of the releases are below.
- The Office of Governor Paterson
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES LANDMARK GATHERING OF STEM CELL RESEARCHERS IN ALBANY
More Than 100 of New York’s Preeminent Scientists Gather Today in Capital Region
Scientific Research Core Component of Governor Paterson’s Plan to Make New York Global Leader in New Economy
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that more than 100 of the New York’s preeminent scientists are gathering in Albany today to discuss progress made in stem cell research. The meeting is the first under the banner of the New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM) program, which was established in 2007 in the first year of the State’s historic 11-year, $600 million initiative to support stem cell research.
“New York is home to the brightest scientific minds working at the finest research institutions and universities. Bringing all of this talent together is one of the first steps in establishing New York as the global leader in vital stem cell research,” said Governor Paterson. “Innovation in science will also help put New Yorkers to work, and position our State to lead the New Economy for years to come.”
“Stem Cell Science in New York State: Emerging Opportunities” highlights the work of 25 research institutions that were the first recipients of $14.5 million in NYSTEM funding. The grants were targeted to supplement existing stem cell research projects, support the purchase of research equipment and core research facilities and support training to increase the capacity of New York institutions to engage in stem cell research.
The one-day, intensive scientific meeting brings together stem cell researchers responsible for a wide array of stem cell biology-related research topics under investigation at diverse institutions across the State, including academic medical centers, freestanding biomedical research centers, and public and private universities and colleges.
“As a result of Governor Paterson’s strong leadership and support for stem cell research, this State funding is providing an economic boost by invigorating New York’s biotechnology industry and will ultimately translate into potential new treatments and cures for devastating diseases,” said State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D. “The sharing of information at this scientific meeting will help foster a strong stem cell research community in New York State and advance the field of stem cell science.”
Commissioner Daines will address the scientific meeting in his role as Chair of the Empire State Stem Cell Board, which recommends grant awards for research, infrastructure development, training, and ethical, legal and social implications, as well as education related to stem cell research. To date, the Board has committed $166 million in all funding categories. Funds are administered by NYSTEM staff in the State Health Department's Wadsworth Center laboratories.
Following Dr. Daines’ opening remarks, Susan Solomon, chief executive officer of the New York Stem Cell Foundation, a Manhattan-based private philanthropy organization that supports stem cell research through research grants, training opportunities, and infrastructure support, will deliver a keynote address. Ms. Solomon will speak on Opportunity for Excellence: The Critical Role of State Programs in the New Federal Landscape.
-more-
Plenary talks will focus on several research topics, including: tissue engineering; stem cells in their natural environment in model organisms such as plants, fruit flies and mice; and stem cells of the nervous system and their potential use in disease treatments. In addition, Dr. Allen Spiegel, dean of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will moderate a panel discussion about the opportunities and challenges of translating basic science discoveries into clinically useful applications.
The meeting was planned by the NYSTEM science team at Wadsworth in conjunction with a planning committee of representatives from funded institutions chaired by Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D., the Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor at Rockefeller University. The event is the first of what is expected to be annual scientific meetings conducted for the State’s stem cell science community.
The scientists will discuss their research on Friday, June 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 660 Albany Shaker Road, in Colonie. The full meeting agenda is available here.
For more information on Governor Paterson’s New Economy initiative, please click here.
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES FEDERAL APPROVAL OF NEW YORK’S EXPANSION OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE
Governor Paterson Applauds Obama Administration’s Approval of Child Health Plus, Which Currently Serves 386,000 New York Children
Paves Way for $64 Million in Federal Matching Funds
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York is now eligible to receive $64 million in new federal funding to support the expansion of New York’s children’s health insurance program known as Child Health Plus. On Thursday, President Obama approved the expansion, and made that approval retroactive to September of 2008.
The expansion of Child Health Plus was part of the 2007-08 State budget, increasing the income eligibility for the program from 250 to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The eligibility expansion made approximately 70,000 additional uninsured children eligible for coverage, representing a change from approximately $46,000 annual income for a family of three to $73,000 for a family of three.
“This is a win for New York’s children and another example of President Obama’s commitment to providing access to affordable health insurance to all Americans. This federal funding will provide fiscal relief and allow us to reach more children at a time when access to affordable health insurance is more critical than ever for New York’s families,” said Governor Paterson. “I want to express my deep gratitude to President Obama as well as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. As a former Governor, Secretary Sebelius understands firsthand the importance of providing quality affordable health care to children.”
In addition to approving the expansion, the Obama Administration agreed to allow the State to add two new exceptions to the six-month waiting period for families who drop employer coverage to enroll their children in Child Health Plus. As a result, children under age five will be exempt from the waiting period, an important exception that will preserve continuity of care for young children during the years access to health care is most critical to their growth and development. An additional exception would be granted for parents who no longer can afford the cost of private coverage, when that cost exceeds 5 percent of a family’s income.
As of May 2009, Child Health Plus covered 386,000 children in New York State. Since the expansion to 400 percent of the federal poverty level last September, an additional 22,000 children have been enrolled. New York has also reduced barriers to enrollment, making it easier for families to get and keep their coverage, and increased outreach in communities to inform New Yorkers about the availability of the program.
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines M.D., said: “Support by Governor Paterson, and now the federal government, for the expansion of New York’s Child Health Plus program means that every child in New York State will have the opportunity to grow up healthy. Since health insurance just for children is generally not available in the private market, Child Health Plus offers the only way thousands of New York families can get coverage for their children.”
The federal approval comes nearly two years after the Bush Administration denied New York’s request for federal matching funding support the program. Following that denial, Governor Paterson proposed and the Legislature agreed to expand the program with state-only funding effective September 1, 2008. In March, the State Health Department submitted a new request for funding for the expansion as part of a State plan amendment to the Children’s Health Insurance program.
Under New York’s Child Health Plus program, health care is delivered by commercial health plans. Except for children in families with the lowest incomes, participation in Child Health Plus requires personal contributions by families in the form of monthly premiums based on a sliding scale according to family income.