Asm. John T. McDonald III

Sponsor McDonald explained the bill requires health insurers to reimburse pharmacists at Medicaid rates for contraceptive dispensing and consultation services. He noted the revised bill addresses the Governor's cost concerns by capping reimbursement below physician rates and emphasized the service is optional, not mandatory.

Assemblymember Walsh expressed support for the bill, noting that it increases transparency with NYSERDA by expanding the list of individuals who will receive the annual report to include the chairpersons of the respective energy committees in each House of the Legislature. She stated the bill does not increase the amount or type of reporting required, but ensures more individuals receive important information about NYSERDA's activities, revenues, and contracts.

Ms. Walsh spoke in support, noting that kratom regulation was desperately needed in New York. She highlighted deaths from kratom use, including that of Nickolas Scribner, and praised the bill's age restriction of 21 and warning label requirements.

Assemblywoman Walsh explained that the bill streamlines the recertification process for minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). Previously, businesses that had already been certified were required to go through the entire certification process again upon recertification, creating delays and frustration. The bill aims to reduce this burden and encourage more MWBEs to apply and be recertified, supporting the state's ambitious MWBE participation goals.

The bill would expand the Preferred Source Program—which gives charitable nonprofits a 15 percent bidding variance on state contracts—to include entities providing vocational and rehabilitation training to formerly incarcerated persons. Sponsor McDonald argued the program addresses high disability rates among formerly incarcerated individuals (40 percent of men, 50 percent of women released from prison) and helps them reintegrate into society with housing and employment. Asm. Gandolfo questioned why formerly incarcerated individuals were being codified into statute while veterans—already accepted through regulation—were not, and expressed concern that adding new groups to the program would increase competition for contracts among organizations serving people with disabilities, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Explained the bill's intent to grow the Preferred Source Program and ensure seamless workforce transitions for formerly incarcerated individuals while reducing recidivism, particularly given recent federal elimination of the Glenmont Jobs program.

Assemblywoman Walsh expressed support for the bill, explaining it allows cases to be transferred between adjoining counties when specialized courts exist. She noted that Upstate courts have developed specialized dockets such as Integrated Domestic Violence Courts and Mental Health Courts, and this bill permits transfer of cases to counties with Mental Health Courts if both district attorneys agree, allowing defendants to receive specialized attention through reparative justice.

Assemblywoman Walsh expressed strong support for the bill, explaining that it allows cases to be transferred between adjoining counties when specialized courts exist. She noted that Upstate courts are increasingly establishing specialized courts such as Integrated Domestic Violence Courts and Mental Health Courts. The bill permits transfer of cases to counties with specialized courts if both district attorneys agree, allowing defendants to receive specialized attention through reparative justice approaches.

Assemblywoman Walsh expressed support for the bill, explaining it allows cases to be transferred between adjoining counties when specialized courts exist. She noted that Upstate courts increasingly have specialized dockets such as Integrated Domestic Violence Courts and Mental Health Courts, and this bill permits transfer if both district attorneys agree, allowing defendants to benefit from specialized judicial attention and reparative justice.

The bill recognizes that women-owned and minority-owned businesses working hard to follow program rules should not face excessive burden during recertification, while still allowing enforcement against bad actors.

The bill requires political committees to include a 'paid for by' disclaimer on public-facing websites, modernizing campaign finance disclosure requirements to match digital platforms. Sponsor explained the bill brings Election Law into the modern era by extending existing disclosure requirements for other campaign communications to websites. Clarifying questions focused on implementation details, particularly whether disclaimers on website headers or footers would satisfy the requirement.

Explained the Purple Heart is the oldest military award and noted approximately 19,000 Purple Heart recipients are New York residents; highlighted the state's Purple Heart Trail and county designations.

Supported renaming the Agency buildings after New York's major rivers, arguing the rivers represent the state's Industrial Revolution and historical strength.

Assemblywoman Walsh explained that this chapter amendment eliminates automatic enrollment of EPIC recipients into the HEAP program. Under the original legislation, EPIC recipients would have been automatically enrolled, but this version requires recipients to seek enrollment themselves and may not qualify. Walsh noted some members may prefer the original automatic enrollment while others appreciate potential cost savings and assurance that only qualifying individuals receive benefits.

Explained that 40 percent of formerly-incarcerated individuals have disabilities versus 15 percent in the general population, and that the program helps them obtain housing, jobs, and become productive taxpayers through non-profit organizations approved by the Education Department.

Provided real-world example of Ozempic costing $1,000/month but PBMs reimbursing $40-50 below cost. Emphasized that pharmacies contract through PSAOs facing take-it-or-leave-it agreements with three to four major PBMs controlling 80% of the market, and that pharmacists should be able to explain to patients why they cannot continue filling prescriptions due to unsustainable losses.

The Preferred Source program has successfully assisted individuals with disabilities for 50 years. Data shows 40 percent of formerly-incarcerated individuals have disabilities versus 15 percent in the general population, and nearly 50 percent of incarcerated women have disabilities. These individuals need housing and jobs to become productive taxpayers.

Provided real-world example of Ozempic costing $1,000/month but PBMs reimbursing $40-50 below cost. Emphasized that pharmacies contract through PSAOs facing take-it-or-leave-it agreements with three major PBMs controlling 80% of market, and pharmacists fear contract termination if they discuss reimbursement rates with patients.

Explained the bill addresses multiple step therapy concerns including prohibiting off-label medications, defining drug limits, aligning with evidence-based guidelines, and reducing administrative burden on providers. Noted the bill was developed over two years with input from health plans and advocacy groups.