131ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

Legislation to strengthen
women's health care passes assembly

Assemblymember Susan John (D-Rochester, Chili, Wheatland) has announced the Assembly passed her legislation that requires hospitals to provide information on emergency contraception to sexual assault survivors, keeps quality health care affordable, and addresses the unique health care concerns of women.

According to a recent study, "Making the Grade on Women's Health: A National State-by-State Report Card," New York received 14 failing grades for indicators such as the number of women without health insurance. In fact, for the second year in a row, New York received an un-satisfactory and ranked in the bottom half of the nation when it comes to women's health.

"This study confirms what I have long recognized - our state isn't doing enough to help women get access to vital health care," John said. "My legislation is a good starting point to turn around New York State's poor history of providing our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives with the health care they need."

Sexual assault is a heinous crime that has long-term effects on its victims. To help survivors cope, John sponsored legislation (A.2214) to ensure that emergency contraceptives and counseling are available to women who seek emergency treatment in hospitals for sexual assault.

"Hospitals need to do more to help a sexual assault survivor's mental and physical recovery," John said. "Emergency contraception and consultation will help in the recovery process."

Assemblymember John's legislation would also require hospitals to provide more information on emergency contraceptives to sexual assault survivors, and make emergency contraceptives available at the survivor's request.

"Women deserve quality, affordable access to preventative screenings and treatments that help save lives and enhance quality of life," said John. "Diseases like breast cancer and osteoporosis are treatable if caught in time."

Assemblymember John is a leading sponsor of legislation (A.2006a) to remove the financial barriers that too often prevent women from getting the care they need to stay healthy.

Specifically, the measure would:

• Eliminate deductibles and co-payments on mammographics and cervical screenings;
• Require multi state companies to cover mammograms and cervical screenings;
• Ensure that HMOs notify women that they are entitled to at least two annual visits for important services like obstetric and gynecological services; and
• Require certain health insurers to cover bone density measurements and other drug therapies used to fight osteoporosis.

The women's health care legislation is part of John's continuing efforts to help keep New Yorkers healthy. She recently supported vital legislation to dramatically improve health care for all New Yorkers - especially the elderly and disabled - by protecting struggling hospitals, nursing homes, and certified health care providers from staffing shortages and proposed Medicaid cuts. The legislation also ex-pands Medicaid eligibility for certain uninsured and underinsured women di-agnosed with breast and cervical cancer.