[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S ENATION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

NEW YORK STATE LAWMAKERS MADE THEIR WAY BACK TO THE STATE CAPITOL TO OFFICIALLY START THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND IT WAS A BUSY WEEK FOR STATE LEADERS.

DURING HIS REMARKS IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, SPEAKER CARL HEASTIES TOUTED PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THE SPEAKER THEN SOUNDED THE ALARM ON HOW FEDERAL CUTS ARE ACTIVELY IMPACTING NEW YORK.

IN THE UPPER CHAMBER, STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS SHARED A SIMILAR SENTIMENT WHILE EMPHASIZING THE CHAMBER'S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING AFFORDABILITY.

MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL SPENT THE WEEK UNVEILING SEVERAL PROPOSALS FROM HER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.

ONE PROPOSAL FOCUSED ON PROTECTING STUDENTS FROM ONLINE THREATS, THE SECOND PROPOSAL IS MEANT TO ADDRESS THE RISING THREAT OF 3D PRINTED AND ILLEGAL FIREARMS, AND THE THIRD PROPOSAL WOULD IMPLEMENT UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER MINDSET FORTH NEW YEAR, THE GOVERNOR TOLD REPORTERS THAT SHE WAS FEELING STRONG WHILE NAVIGATING THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL POLICIES.

>> WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT, AND I WOULD SAY WE'VE BEEN BATTLE TESTED TO DEAL WITH ANY OF THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT COME OUR WAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR A SOLID YEAR, WE'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH INCOMING FROM WASHINGTON.

>> AND APART FROM IT BEING A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THIS WEEK ALSO MARKED THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON THE U.S.

CAPITOL.

IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SAT DOWN WITH STATE SENATOR JOHN LIU, WHO SPONSORS A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THAT ATTACK.

HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY, SENATOR.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE ON WITH YOU.

>> NOW WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE BILL THAT YOU SPONSORED THAT WOULD REQUIRE NEW YORK SCHOOLS TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF JANUARY 6TH, 2021?

>> IT'S A BILL THAT ASSEMBLY MEMBER CHARLES LEVINE AND I HAVE INTRODUCED INTO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE TEACHING OF THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION FOR ALL NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS.

THIS WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT EVENT, IF WE CAN CALL IT THAT IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.

NOT SINCE 1812, OVER 200 YEARS AGO, HAD THERE BEEN AN ATTACK ON OUR NATION'S CAPITOL, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE WHITEWASHED OR, YOU KNOW, GASLIT BECAUSE IF YOU LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF THE PRESIDENT OVER THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, UP TO A YEAR, HE'S ALMOST PRETENDED THAT NOTHING HAPPENED.

A LOT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH, 2021.

PEOPLE RIOTED.

THEY SET THINGS ON FIRE.

THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

NOT TO MENTION PEOPLE DYING IN THAT INSURRECTION.

AND SO I REMEMBER-- I REMEMBER BEING SO FRIGHTENED SEEING WHAT WAS HAPPENING ON TV THAT DAY FIVE YEARS AGO, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT ALLOW ANYBODY, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT TO BASICALLY TRY TO CHANGE OR REWRITE HISTORY AS IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR KIDS ARE TAUGHT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH.

>> AND CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO TAKE THE STEP TO INTRODUCE THIS BILL?

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING ITS LONG-TERM IMPACT WILL BE?

>> WHAT PROMPTED ME IS THE HORRIFIC MEMORIES AND SIGHTING OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH.

AS WE LED UP TO THE FIFTH YEAR, THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY, SEEING THE PRESIDENT CONTINUE TO DENY WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED-- IN FACT, ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS HE TOOK UPON BEING SWORN IN FOR HIS SECOND TERM WAS TO PARDON-- ACTUAL A BLANKET PARDON TO OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO WERE ARRESTED ON A RANGE OF VIOLENT CHARGES, AND SO THAT'S WHAT PROMPTED IT, AND WHAT AM I HOPING?

IT'S LIKE THIS IS-- JANUARY 6TH, 2021, IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY THAT CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN.

BECAUSE WHEN HISTORY IS FORGOTTEN, IT BECOMES PRONE TO REPEAT, AND WE CERTAINLY-- I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE A REPEAT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH, 2021.

IT'S BAD FOR DEMOCRACY.

IT'S A TERRIBLE STAIN ON WHAT THIS DEMOCRACY HAS STOOD FOR.

>> AND HOW WILL YOU OVERCOME SOME OF THE OPPOSITION THAT MIGHT COME WITH THIS BILL POSSIBLY FROM REPUBLICAN MEMBERS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

HOW WILL YOU BE WILLING TO WORK WITH MEMBERS ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THE BILL PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW?

>> WELL, I ALWAYS WANT TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

I MEAN, WE WANT SUPPORT FROM THIS-- FOR THIS FROM ANYBODY, AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH MY DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ABOUT HOW SIGNIFICANT JANUARY 6TH IS, AND TEACHING OUR KIDS-- I DON'T PRESCRIBE ACTUALLY HOW TO TEACH.

I LEAVE IT UP TO THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

OUR TEACHERS AND THE HISTORIANS TO CHRONICLE EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND VIEWS ON THAT DAY AND THE RAMIFICATIONS AND ALL THAT SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO OUR SCHOOL KIDS.

BUT THIS IS A DAY THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN BY SCHOOL KIDS OR ANYBODY ELSE.

>> AND CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THE ROLE OF THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND/OR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT THE HISTORY IS BEING TAUGHT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND ACCURATE WAY?

>> WELL, THIS BILL ADDS THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION TO WHAT IS A VERY SHORT LIST OF HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT MUST BE TAUGHT TO NEW YORK SCHOOL KIDS.

THE HOLOCAUST, SLAVERY, AND THE IRISH POTATO FAMINE BEING REALLY JUST ON THE VERY SHORT LIST OF HISTORICAL EVENTS.

SO THIS-- THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION WOULD BE TAUGHT IN THE SAME WAY.

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD PROMULGATE MATERIALS AND ENSURE THAT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHETHER IT BE NEW YORK CITY OR BUFFALO OR EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN ARE ACTUALLY TEACHING OUR KIDS?

>> AND HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS OR SCHOOL OFFICIALS ABOUT THIS BILL?

IF SO, WHAT ARE THOSE CONVERSATIONS LIKE?

>> WELL, SCHOOL-- PARENTS CERTAINLY WANT THEIR KIDS TO BE TAUGHT THE FULL HISTORY WITHOUT-- WITHOUT ANY KIND OF EUPHEMISMS OR, YOU KNOW, THE REAL HISTORY, AND AGAIN, IT'S SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, THEIR KIDS UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN HISTORY AND WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS MIGHT BE FOR THE FUTURE AND TO AVOID THESE KINDS OF TERRIBLE EVENTS.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS-- I UNDERSTAND THEY GENERALLY DON'T LIKE LEGISLATORS TO BE-- TO BE IMPOSING THESE KINDS OF REQUIREMENTS.

THEY OFTEN FEEL THAT THEY KNOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS, FOR THE MOST PART TRUE, BUT IN THIS CASE, THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION JUST RISES TO THE LEVEL OF-- WE NEED TO HAVE UNIFORMITY AND CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE STATE, AND THAT'S WHY THIS LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED.

>> AND ARE THERE ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING THIS LEGISLATION EITHER TO SCHOOLS, THE STATE OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

>> THERE ARE-- I DON'T FORESEE SUBSTANTIAL COSTS.

OBVIOUSLY WITH ANY KIND OF ACTION, THERE IS SOME NOMINAL COSTS INVOLVED.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND ALL OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO THAT SHORT LIST OF HISTORICAL EVENTS I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE TAUGHT TO NEW YORK SCHOOL KIDS.

SO ADDING THIS ITEM-- ADDING THIS EVENT IN HISTORY SHOULD NOT BE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT COST.

>> AND WITH THE START OF A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT THE STATE CAPITOL, HOW WILL YOU WORK TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR THE BILL SO IT GETS PASSED AND DOESN'T GET OVERLOOKED IN THE MANY PRIORITIES THAT TAKE UP THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, WE DEFINITELY ARE GOING TO HAVE A DOOZY OF A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2026.

ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT FELLOW NEW YORKERS.

BUT THAT'S TRUE EVERY YEAR WHERE THERE ARE MANY, MANY DIFFERENT PRIORITIES COMING INTO THE OPENING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO IMPART THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR BILL AND GARNER SUPPORT FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO GET IT PASSED AND ULTIMATELY SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR ASSEMBLY COUNTERPART, ASSEMBLY MEMBER CHARLES LEVINE, WHO SPONSORS THE BILL IN THE LOWER CHAMBER ABOUT HIS PLANS TO GARNER SUPPORT IN THAT CHAMBER?

>> I KNOW ASSEMBLY MEMBER LEVINE IS ALREADY WORKING HIS COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO HIM BECAUSE ASSEMBLY MEMBER HE WILL REASON IS THE ONE THAT BROUGHT THE BILL TO MY ATTENTION AND I AGREED WHOLE-HEARTEDLY TO CARRY IT IN THE SENATE.

>> LASTLY, AS CHAIR OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER TOP LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES THAT YOU'RE HOPING TO MAKE MOVEMENT ON THIS SESSION?

>> SENATOR SHELLEY MAYER FROM WESTCHESTER CHAIRS THE LARGER EDUCATION COMMITTEE THAT DEALS WITH THE 700 PLUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NEW YORK CITY EDUCATION COMMITTEE, WE CLEARLY HAVE MANY DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

THIS YEAR, WE'VE GOT A NEW MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY.

HE HAS ALREADY DESCRIBED SOME OF HIS PRIORITIES.

THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL GOVERNANCE/MAYORAL CONTROL IS UP FOR, ONCE AGAIN, DELIBERATION AND PASSAGE THIS YEAR.

WE ALSO HAVE THE MATTER OF CLASSROOMS BEING OVERCROWDED IN NEW YORK CITY, MUCH MORE SO THAN THE REST OF THE STATE SO WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THE NEW MAYOR TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, STATEWIDE, WHICH INCLUDES-- WHICH AFFECTS NEW YORK CITY BUT ALSO THE REST OF THE STATE, WE HAVE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS KIND OF-- HAS IMPOSED ON THE STATE OF NEW YORK AFFECTING OUR EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS, AS WELL AS MANY SOME OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT'S COMING THROUGH, PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO EDUCATING KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

SO WE'VE GOT OUR PLATE FULL ON THE EDUCATION BUFFET, AS WELL AS ON A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONNECT WITH US TODAY, SENATOR.

>> I HOPE TO CONNECT AGAIN WITH YOU VERY SOON.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH STATE SENATOR JOHN LIU, CHAIR OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND REPRESENTING THE 16TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> AND ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY FOR STATE LAWMAKERS THIS YEAR IS TO ADDRESS THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR NEW YORKERS.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN MCDONALD CARRIES SEVERAL BILLS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THAT HE HOPES WILL MAKE IT OVER THE LEGISLATIVE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR.

OUR ELEASE KLEIN SPOKE WITH THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER TO LEARN MORE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> SO FIRST, CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT PRESCRIPTION AFFORDABILITY LOOKS LIKE IN THE STATE AND WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST CONCERNS?

>> YOU KNOW, I SAY PRESCRIPTION AFFORDABILITY IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT-- FROM A PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVE, A LOT DEPENDS ON WHAT PLAN THEY PARTICIPATE IN, WHAT THEY'VE CHOSEN AND IT GETS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED.

JUST NEW YORK STATE ALONE, WE ARE VERY GENEROUS IN THIS STATE, OR WE'VE BEEN GENEROUS IN THIS STATE WHERE MANY IRK STANCES WE PROVIDE EXPANDED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, WHICH INCLUDES PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE, UP TO 400% OF THE ANNUAL FAMILY INCOME.

THAT MAY CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE IMPACTS OF HR1.

BUT PEOPLE GET TO CHOOSE DIFFERENT PLANS AND WE, AS A PHARMACY, NOT AS A LEGISLATOR, BUT AS A PHARMACY, WE TRY TO HELP KIND PATIENTS AS NAVIGATORS TO HELP THEM REALLY CHOOSE THE PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO WORK WELL FOR THEM.

NOW PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AND EVERYONE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT BIG, BAD PHARMA, ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T MIND IT WHEN THEY COME OUT WITH THESE MEDICATIONS THAT ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, THE PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFIT HAS ACTUALLY, I'M STARTING TO BELIEVE, BECOME EITHER A REVENUE OR PROFIT CENTER FOR CERTAIN ENTITIES.

THERE'S 340-B BENEFIT WHICH IS A FEDERALLY ORDAINED PROGRAM WHICH BASICALLY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS RELY ON DRAMATICALLY, HOSPITALS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF OF THE CHANGES.

WHERE THEY GET THE DRUG AT A DEEP DISCOUNT BUT GET PAID BY THE COMMERCIAL HEALTH PLANS AT VERY, VERY HANDSOME RATES AND THESE ARE VERY USUALLY VERY EXPENSIVE DRUGS.

THE REALITY IS THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW IT.

THEY HAVE NO IDEA.

THERE'S PROBABLY THREE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND THE 340-B PROGRAM BUT I CAN TELL YOU EVERY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR AND EVERY HQFC IS VERY MUCH CONCERNED, BUT THE OTHER DYNAMIC THAT'S BEEN PLAYING OUT FOR A DECADE OR TWO THAT PHARMACIES SEEK, AND WE TRY TO-- AND PHARMACIES HAVE KIND OF BEEN IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF THIS WHOLE THING IS THE MAJOR MANUFACTURERS, IN ORDER FOR THEIR PRODUCTS TO BE COVERED, ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNTS IN THE FORM OF REBATES TO THE PDMS WHO NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT A PDM IS, IT'S A FARM SUIT BENEFIT MANAGER.

THERE'S ONLY THREE MAJOR ONES IN THE COUNTRY, AND THEN THE QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT REBATE?

WE'RE TOLD THAT IT GETS HANDED DOWN TO THE HEALTH PLAN AND THEREFORE, LOWERS PATIENTS' COSTS, BUT THE REALITY IS, I HAVEN'T MET A PATIENT YET WHO'S TOLD ME THEIR PRICES ARE GETTING LOWER.

THEY'RE ONLY GETTING HIGHER.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ONE OF THE EFFORTS THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT FORTH IN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR WAS TO PROVIDE-- REQUIRE THE PDMS AND THE MANUFACTURERS TO PROVIDE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR COMMERCIAL HEALTH PLANS EXACTLY WHAT THE REBATES ARE.

BECAUSE IN ALL FAIRNESS, AS MUCH AS I CAN TELL YOU FROM FOLLOWING THE INDUSTRY NATIONALLY, THE REBATES IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UP TO 50% OF THE TRUE COST OF THE DRUG, AND THAT'S A LOT.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE GLP-1S, EVERYBODY IS SAYING THEY'RE EXPENSIVE AND THEY ARE.

WHEN THEY COST $1,000 A MONTH AND THERE'S A $500 REBATE GOING BACK TO THE PLANNER OR PBM, IT GETS A LITTLE BIT GRAY, AND ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE ALWAYS PUSHED FOR, FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, IS TRANSPARENCY.

BUSINESS OWNERS, WHICH ARE PAYERS OF INSURANCE BILLS, INSURANCE PLANS, WHICH ARE SOME ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PBMS, SOME ARE NOT, PATIENTS ALL SHOULD KNOW WHAT THEIR DRUG TRULY COSTS.

THE OTHER ITEM THAT I'M PUSHING THIS YEAR, I PUSHED LAST YEAR I PUSHED IN THE SENATE, IS ACTUALLY TO TAKE PHARMACIES, THEMSELVES-- YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE FRONTLINE.

WE'RE THE ONES WHO ARE REALLY WORKING WITH THE PATIENTS THE MOST.

WE TRY TO FIND AND HELP GUIDE THEM TO OPTIONS TO AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS BECAUSE IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS.

IF THEY DON'T GET THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS, THEIR AILMENT OR CONDITION IS NOT GOING TO IMPROVE.

THAT'S WHAT AS HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, PHARMACISTS ARE FOCUSED ON.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PBMS NEGOTIATED VERY AGGRESSIVE CONTRACTS WITH ALL PHARMACIES.

AND BY THE WAY, THEY'LL PAY PHARMACY A, THIS PRICE.

PHARMACY TWO, THIS PRICE.

PHARMACY THREE, THIS PRICE.

THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON UNLESS THE PBM WHO OWNS THEIR OWN PHARMACIES SOMETIMES PAY THEIR OWN PHARMACIES MORE THAN THEY PAY THEIR COMPETITORS.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MOVE TO WHAT NEW YORK STATE MEDICAID MOVED TO A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WHICH IS BASICALLY USING A NATIONAL BENCHMARK FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

PLUS A DISPENSING FEE, AND IT'S APPLICABLE TO AN INDEPENDENT PHARMACY OR A PHARMACY STORE CHAIN, DOESN'T MATTER WHO IT IS.

IT'S THE SAME REIMBURSEMENT ALL THE TIME.

WHY ARE WE PUSHING FOR THAT?

TO GIVE GREATER TRANSPARENCY ON EXACTLY WHAT THE TRUE PAYMENT OF THE DRUGS ARE.

AT LEAST FROM WHAT'S GETTING TO THE PATIENT'S HANDS.

>> SO YOU BROUGHT UP TRANSPARENCY.

I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL POLICY MEASURES THAT GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION EACH YEAR.

ONE OF WHICH WAS RECENTLY VETOED FOR THE SECOND TIME RELATED TO HOSPITAL CLOSURE NOTICE.

I'M WONDERING WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THIS VETO AND WHAT WOULD THIS BILL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED?

>> THE HOSPITAL CLOSURE NOTICE BILL IS, I THINK, WELL-INTENTIONED.

I UNDERSTAND WHY HEALTH SYSTEMS DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT, RIGHT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO FACE THE MUSIC WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN A CHANGE IS HAPPENING.

WE WENT DOWN THAT WITH A SMALLER SCALE HERE IN THE CAPITAL REGION WITH THE BURNETT BURN CENTER, WHERE THE SYSTEM, AT THE TIME, ACTUALLY JUMPED AHEAD OF THE PENDING DEADLINE.

SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO AVOID A PUBLIC MEETING.

THE REALITY OF THIS IS-- THIS IS MY PHILOSOPHY OF BEING IN HEALTH CARE FOR 40 YEARS AND MY PHILOSOPHY OF BEING IN GOVERNMENT FOR 26 YEARS.

IF YOU AS A PROVIDER, WHETHER IT'S A PHARMACY OR A HOSPITAL, ARE GOING TO ACCEPT PUBLIC MONEY TO BE PART OF YOUR OVERALL OPERATIONS, THEN YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE WHEN DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE.

QUITE HONESTLY, IF THOSE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, IT'S ACTUALLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHERE THE SYSTEM IS STRUGGLING.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE HEALTH-- THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ARE GOING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.

I REFERENCE ONLY THE 340-B CHANGES BEING PROPOSED BY THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.

THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY ON WHAT THAT'S GOING TO MEAN.

I CAN TELL YOU THE 340-B BENEFITS TO HOSPITALS AND FQHCS IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT AND SOMETHING THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, SO I DO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SAY WHY DID THE GOVERNOR VETO IT?

YOU'D HAVE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR, BUT MY GUT FEELING IS WITH ALL THE IMPACTS OF HR-1, THIS IS PROBABLY NOT A TIME TO BE PUTTING A LOT MORE MANDATES ON HOSPITALS AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME.

SO I THINK THEY GET A LITTLE BIT OF A PASS IN THIS SITUATION.

>> YOU TOUCHED ON SOME OF THIS ISSUE WHICH IS IN SOME POLICY MEASURES I'M GOING TO ASK ABOUT.

THERE'S OTHER POLICY MEASURES RELATED TO WHOLESALE PRESCRIPTION DRUG IMPORTATION AND DRUG MANUFACTURING THAT HAVEN'T MADE IT THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS.

THEY PASSED THE SENATE BUT DIDN'T GET OUT OF ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE.

CAN YOU HELP US UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHY THEY AREN'T MAKING IT THROUGH ASSEMBLY?

WHAT YOU THINK NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO GET THEM FURTHER ALONG?

>> SO WHOLESALE DRUG IMPORTATION, IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

AND BASICALLY, ONE CAN ONLY LOOK TO CANADA AS THE EXAMPLE.

WHERE BASICALLY, WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO IS PHARMACIES WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH WHOLESALERS IN CANADA TO IMPORT DRUGS, AND THOSE DRUGS, IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT NOT ALL, ARE LESS EXPENSIVE.

TECHNICALLY, IF THE HEALTH PLANS COVERED IT, WHICH THEY MAY NOT BECAUSE THEY'D BE SACRIFICING THEIR REBATES, WHICH I REFERENCED EARLIER, BUT IF THE HEALTH PLANS COVERED IT, WE COULD SEE LOWER PATIENT COPAYMENTS.

WE COULD SEE LOWER HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS.

THE CHALLENGE WITH THE IMPORTATION BILL, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE SPONSOR ON THIS, IS THAT-- IN CANADA, THEY IMPORT FROM ALL COUNTRIES.

SOME OF WHICH ARE FACILITIES THAT MANUFACTURERS AND PHARMACEUTICALS ARE NOT INSPECTED BY THE FDA.

NOW, WE CAN GO A WHOLE SEGMENT ON THE FDA AND ITS INSPECTIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE MAJORITY OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN THIS WORLD ARE SOURCED FROM CHINA AND ARE MANUFACTURED IN INDIA, AND THERE IS A WHOLE LITANY OF PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE FACILITIES IN INDIA.

THAT BEING SAID, THIS IS WHY MEDICATIONS, NINE OUT OF TEN, AS I REFERENCED EARLIER, 90%, ARE INEXPENSIVE BECAUSE THEY'RE MADE IN THESE OTHER COUNTRIES AT A MUCH REDUCED COSTS.

PERSONALLY, I THINK WE SHOULD BE MAKING MORE MEDS IN AMERICA.

WE SHOULD BE INCENTIVIZING MANUFACTURING OF PHARMACEUTICALS, BOTH GENERIC AND BRAND NAME IN THIS COUNTRY.

WE USED TO DO THIS IN THE 1980S, BUT THAT WAS INCENTIVIZED THROUGH TAX INCENTIVES AND AT THE TIME, CONGRESS BACK IN THE '80S, DECIDED TO DISBAND WITH THAT, AND THIS IS WHAT LED TO PROLIFERATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING IN OTHER COUNTRIES BUT THE UNITED STATES.

I WOULD ARGUABLY SAY, AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WON'T LIKE TO HEAR THIS, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT FOR ME TO PUT 600, $700 MILLION TO PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING IN THIS STATE THAN 600, $700 MILLION TO THE FILM CREDIT BECAUSE THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THIS.

WHEN NINE IT OF TEN PRESCRIPTIONS, MAYBE EVEN MORE, THOSE DRUGS ARE SOURCED FROM CHINA WHO IS NOT A FRIEND TO THE UNITED STATES AND INDIA, WHICH SOMETIMES HAS ITS RELATIONSHIP STRAINED, WE ARE PUTTING OUR HEALTH IN THE HANDS OF POTENTIAL FOREIGN ADVERSARIES AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE LOST IN THIS CONVERSATION.

WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE IT.

WE NEED IT TO BE COMPETITIVE.

WE ALSO WANT DON'T WHAT TO HAVE INCREASING DRUG COSTS GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, IT'S VERY OPAQUE.

I CAN TELL YOU AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR FOUR YEARS, AND CURIOUSLY ENOUGH, THE RULES AND LAWS OF THIS STATE AND THIS COUNTRY HAVE ACTUALLY FURTHERED THAT OPAQUENESS.

ONLY BECAUSE THE LAST EIGHT TO TEN YEARS, REALLY MORE CONSERVATIVE STATES, LIKE ALABAMA AND OKLAHOMA AND ARKANSAS HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING WHY DRUGS ARE GOING UP MORE.

FINALLY NEW YORK STATE IS GETTING ONBOARD.

WE'RE STARTING TO QUESTION IT TOO, AND IT GETS BACK TO THAT KEY WORD OF TRANSPARENCY.

KNOWING EXACTLY WHO IS PAYING WHAT AND HOW MUCH?

YOU KNOW, THE PDMS HAVE BEEN SO CREATIVE, NOT ONLY ARE THEY GETTING REBATES AND MANUFACTURER-- WHICH SOME ARE PACKED ONTO THE PLANS BUT WE REALLY DON'T ANY THAT TO BE TRUE.

THEY'RE ALSO NOW DOING OFFSHORE BUYING GROUPS IN OTHER COUNTRIES TO ESCAPE THE REACH OF THE UNITED STATES.

SO THIS IS BIG BUSINESS, AND I DON'T THINK PEOPLE HAVE ANY IDEA AND IT KIND OF GETS DOWN TO PROBABLY A QUESTION YOU WOULD HAVE ALLUDED TO OR WILL ASK, WELL, WHY DON'T SOME OF THESE THINGS MOVE?

YOU'VE GOT MULTIBILLION DOLLAR OPERATIONS FIGHTING THIS.

MIGHT NOT BE UP FRONT BUT IN THE SHADOWS OF THE HALL OF THE CAPITOL.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS.

>> SO YOU'VE TOUCHED ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON THIS SESSION.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT, I GUESS, WHAT YOUR TOP PRIORITIES ARE ON THIS ISSUE?

AND HOW WILL THIS APPROACH THIS YEAR BE DIFFERENT IN TRYING TO GET THESE BILLS PASSED THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE LAST YEAR?

>> ONE OF THE PRIORITIES HAS BEEN IN REGARDS TO WHAT I SAID EARLIER ABOUT MAKING SURE PHARMACIES ARE OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN PBMS AND PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURERS.

OVER THIS SUMMER, BOTH WORKING WITH THE PHARMACISTS SOCIETY AND WITH MY COLLEAGUES, WE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS BILL.

I THINK THAT'S HELPFUL.

I ALWAYS WORKED TO DEMONSTRATE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE MESSAGE FROM THESE UNKNOWN ENTITIES THAT ARE GOING TO SAY IT'S GOING TO DRIVE UP PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FALSE.

IT'S BUNK.

THE REALITY IS I LOOK AT THE PBMS-- ONCE AGAIN, THEY SERVE AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS WHEN IT'S BEING USED IN A PREDATORY MANNER TO DRIVE OUT COMPETITION.

WHEN IT'S USED IN THE MAPER WHERE WE'RE NOT SEEING THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE REBATES.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS BENEFITING.

WE ARE SEEING THE WALL STREET EARNINGS INCREASE BY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR, ONE HAS TO HE REQUEST THE PROCESS AND QUITE HONESTLY, MOST OF THEIR WORK IS DONE WITH GOVERNMENT PARTNERS AND THEREFORE, THERE NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENCY.

IT GOES BACK TO MY EARLIER COMMENT.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS OF DEALING WITH GOVERNMENT, THEN YOU NEED TO BE WILLING TO BE EXPOSED TO FULL TRANSPARENCY.

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US, ASSEMBLY MEMBER.

>> IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN MCDONALD.

[ THEME MUSIC ] AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DRUG PRESCRIPTION AFFORDABILITY IN NEW YORK, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

NEXT WEEK ON THE SHOW, WE'LL BE DIVING INTO THE BIGGEST POLICIES FROM GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT.

WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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