New York Convenes Health Reform Implementation Cabinet

New York's Governor David Paterson announced Thursday that his office would be spearheading the health reform implementation effort across the state with the formation of a Health Care Reform Cabinet.  The group will be chaired by Valerie Grey, the Director of State Operations and is commissioned with:

• Identifying deadlines for the completion of interim or final steps necessary or desired to comply with the provisions of federal health care reform;
• Identifying those provisions of federal health care reform with which the State must comply and those that are optional, and evaluating whether participation in optional programs is appropriate;
• Assessing the State's capacity to carry out those provisions of federal health care reform that affect or potentially affect the State;
• Identifying any changes needed to State statute, regulation, policy or procedure in order to implement such provisions and facilitating the achievement of such changes as necessary;
• Communicating with the federal government, local governments, other states, health care providers, and other stakeholders as advisable or necessary; and
• Providing for outreach to the public to educate them on the implementation of reforms as necessary.

The Deputy Secretary for Health, Medicaid, and Oversight and the Deputy Secretary for Labor and Financial Regulation will serve as vice-chairs.  An external advisory group consisting of individuals representing providers, consumers, businesses, labor, local government, health insurers, and health policy experts will be named to assist with the implementation effort.

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