Governor Cuomo Enacts One of NYSPA's Major Legislative Priorities: Law to Prohibit "Conversion Therapy" for Minors

NYSPA is very pleased to report that late last week Governor Cuomo signed into law legislation that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from engaging in efforts to change a minor’s sexual orientation (so-called “conversion therapy”) and defines such efforts as professional misconduct (A.576, Glick/S.1046, Hoylman).  The bill signing took place on Friday, January 25, 2019 in New York City and was attended by NYSPA members Frank Dowling, M.D., Jack Drescher, M.D., and Barry Perlman, M.D. and Jamie Papapetros from the NYSPA Government Relations office.

Parity/Access to Care Resources

Information and resources for New York psychiatrists and their patients experiencing difficulty in accessing insurance benefits for mental health and substance use disorder services

New York Enacts Historic Parity Reforms 

NYSPA is extremely pleased to report that the 2019-20 New York State Budget, approved this past weekend, includes landmark provisions aimed at enhancing parity for New Yorkers suffering from mental health conditions, substance use disorders and autism spectrum disorders. These provisions, called the Behavioral Health Insurance Parity Reforms (BHIPR), represent a comprehensive overhaul of the New York Insurance Law and seek to eliminate discrimination in coverage of care and treatment for mental health conditions, substance use disorders and autism spectrum disorders. The budget provisions apply to all health insurance and health benefit plans offered in New York State, including individual plans, group plans and HMOs. 

End of 2019 Session Report for NYSPA

Prepared by Richard Gallo & Jamie Papapetros

Legislative Report: Update to End of Legislative Session Report

Prepared by Richard Gallo & Jamie Papapetros