January 29, 2009 
Gov. Paterson to Speak at L Day
Gov. David Paterson has accepted IIABNY's invitation to speak Feb. 3 in Albany at the association's 39th annual L Day. He'll speak during the L Day luncheon, which will be held at the Empire State Convention Center. He is expected to arrive at 12:30 p.m., so those attending should plan to be at the Convention Center ahead of time. The doors to the Convention Center will open at 11:45 a.m. If you had not planned to attend L Day and would like to change your plans, it's not too late. E-mail IIABNY's Monica Rayder and let her know that you would like to register for L Day. There is no additional charge to attend. Gov. Paterson's appearance will mark the first time a sitting governor has attended L Day. Be a part of this historic IIABNY event! Budget Talks Continue
Gov. Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver held a closed-door leaders meeting earlier this week to discuss the budget. Paterson said there were three issues on the table: the deficit reduction proposals or DRP (drafted to close this year's $1.7 billion deficit); implementing the findings of the Ravitch Commission for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and the reorganization of two hospitals in Queens. Action on the DRP may occur as early as next week. Budget hearings and behind-the-scenes discussions on the budget also continue, with some reports that the Assembly is considering implementing a temporary, personal income tax, rather than the multitude of fees and taxes included in the governor's budget. Highlighting New York's severe budget crisis was a report this week that Wall Street bonuses fell 44 percent in 2008, a decline that will cost the state nearly $1 billion in revenue. Late Notice Law Takes Effect
The legislation, which IIABNY was successful in securing last year, took effect Jan. 17. The new law prohibits insurance companies from denying claims for late notice unless the late notice materially impairs their ability to investigate or defend the claim. It also includes a limited right for an injured party to file a declaratory judgment action directly against the other party's insurer, but only to challenge whether a disclaimer of coverage for late notice was proper. Assembly Insurance Committee Holds 1st Meeting of Session
The Assembly Insurance Committee, which recently held its first meeting of the year, considered only three bills, all of which were reported from the committee. A.1004 would allow private passenger automobile insurers to give premiums reductions for vehicles equipped with side-door airbags. A.213 would require health insurers to provide coverage for in-network dialysis and provide coverage to insureds for out-of-network dialysis treatment if certain conditions are met. A.217 would require health insurance companies to authorize senior citizens to designate a third party for written notification in the event of impending cancellation of their long-term care and health insurance policies. Tedisco to Run for Gillibrand's Seat
Republican leaders from the 10 counties making up the 20th Congressional District decided earlier this week that Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco would be the GOP's pick to run for the seat vacated by now-U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Since the vacancy will be filled by a special election, there will be no primary. Gov. Paterson has yet to set a date for the special election. Once the governor calls for the election, it must be held within 30 to 40 days. A March ballot is likely. No clear frontrunner among the Democrats has emerged. Federal Stimulus Package Includes Money for New York
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a federal economic stimulus package, which is expected to clear the Senate next week. It includes at least $10 billion in Medicaid funding for New York over two years and nearly $5 billion for schools and transportation projects.
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