A.G. Schneiderman Announces Settlement With Cigna That Eliminates Policies Which Barred Coverage For Testing Of Psychiatric Conditions

Cigna’s Policies Denied Coverage For Neuropsychological Testing For Psychiatric Conditions And Autism Spectrum Disorder 

Schneiderman: Insurers Must Provide Same Access To Mental Health Services As They Would Any Other Treatment

   Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office has reached a settlement with Cigna, requiring the health insurer eliminate a written ban on coverage for claims for neuropsychological testing of psychiatric conditions and autism spectrum disorder. Cigna will also reprocess denied claims for autism spectrum disorder.

“Insurers must provide the same access to mental health services as they would for any other treatment. We will continue to aggressively enforce our health care parity laws to ensure that no New Yorker faces illegal barriers when seeking mental health treatment,” said Attorney General Schneiderman.  

Attorney General Schneiderman’s Health Care Bureau launched an investigation into Cigna’s administration of mental health benefits following a complaint in 2016 about its written policy for neuropsychological testing. The policy said that “Cigna does not cover neuropsychological testing” for psychiatric conditions and autism spectrum disorder “because such testing is considered educational in nature and/or not medically necessary.”

Under the terms of the settlement, the company agrees to comply with Timothy’s Law, New York legislation enacted in 2006 and named for a 13-year-old Schenectady boy who committed suicide after an insurance company denied ongoing coverage for treatment of serious mental health issues.  Timothy’s Law mandates that New York group health plans provide “broad-based coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders or ailments … at least equal to the coverage provided for other health conditions.” The New York law is similar to federal mental health parity laws, which were passed in 2008.

The settlement requires Cigna to revise its policies, pay autism claims previously rejected, and pay a penalty of $50,000.  Cigna also clarified its policy regarding concussion and mild cognitive impairment. Cigna shall also provide coverage information to its members and members’ health care providers upon request.

Consumers with a complaint regarding health insurance coverage for mental health, or any other health care-related complaint, may always contact the Attorney General’s Office Health Care Helpline at 800-428-9071.

Statement From Councilman Eric Ulrich on Mayor de Blasio's Proposed Budget

"Mayor de Blasio's budget uses smoke and mirrors to mask the real problems facing our city. The Mayor is obviously more concerned with his reelection and raising his own political profile than addressing the homeless epidemic, tackling the affordable housing crisis, and improving the quality of life in every borough.

"The Mayor's budget is indeed a reflection of his values; it rewards the special interests at the expense of the taxpayers.  I will be doing everything I can between now and the budget adoption to ensure our seniors don't get shortchanged, our veterans get the property tax relief they deserve, our children who are at risk are protected, and the plight of the middle class does not go ignored."  

EDITOR'S NOTE:

It should be noted that Councilman Eric Ulrich has announced his intentions to run for mayor on the Republican line in November against current Mayor Bill de Blasio, or whomever is the candidate of the Democratic Party.

MAYOR DE BLASIO RELEASES PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018

“Deepening the progress we’ve made over the last three years, this budget further invests in the foundations central to a strong, fair city – more classroom seats, enhanced traffic safety initiatives, crucial infrastructure upgrades and public safety progress. At the same time, in the face of economic and political uncertainty from Washington, this budget once again will save money through efficiency measures and invest further in reserve funds aimed at safeguarding our city's financial future.”

– Mayor Bill de Blasio“

Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio presented New York City’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18).

The FY18 Preliminary Budget is balanced, totaling $84.67 billion. In particular, this budget:

• Allocates resources to critical areas including public safety, investing in our infrastructure, improving our public schools and increasing affordability.
• Maintains reserves at unprecedented highs and continues to build on the Citywide Savings Program with another $1.1 billion in savings and a goal of $500 million more in the FY18 Executive Budget.
• Makes targeted investments, such as $6.3 million in expense funds for 200 new school crossing guards and 100 school crossing guard supervisors who will ensure the safety of our children, and $571 million in capital funds to ensure a state of good repair on our bridges through FY25.

Click here to view the FY18 Preliminary Budget.

RESPONDING TO THE UNKNOWN

Despite another year of economic growth and a national economy that remains strong, unknowns in Washington provide some reason for concern.

New York City is making targeted investments to strengthen the economy, ensure we stay on course and benefit New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Capital investments help drive the city’s impressive record on jobs, as well.  When you compare our NYC to entire states, in 2014-2015 alone, New York City added more jobs than 46 states and employment growth across sectors is outpacing the country as a whole – these investments will build upon that foundation.

We are also forecasting some improvement in tax revenue growth in FY18. While tax revenue is expected to slow to 2.4 percent in FY17, we anticipate modest improvement to 3.9 percent in FY18.

RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING

The City does recognize the need to be cautious in the face of uncertainty. As a result, this administration has put a record amount of funding in reserves. Specifically:

• The General Reserve is at $1 billion in FY18 and every year of the financial plan, compared to the traditional $300 million.
• The Retiree Health Benefits Trust Fund is at $4 billion, $3.3 billion the result of this Administration.
• The Capital Stabilization Reserve that was established under this Administration in FY16 has been modified to include $250 million in every year of the four-year plan, compared to the one-time $500 million previously established.

As a result, independent monitors and rating agencies continue to affirm the City’s strong budgetary management.

The Administration is also managing out-year gaps and continuing to find savings across City government. As of the Preliminary Budget, agency and debt savings will reduce expenses by $1.1 billion in FY17-18. This is addition to the $1 billion found in the FY17 November Plan and with more to come in the Executive Budget this spring.

TARGETED INVESTMENTS IN NYC’S FUTURE

This budget continues building upon three years of pursuing progressive policies while remaining fiscally responsible. Mayor de Blasio’s prior budgets have invested in priorities that can be felt across the five boroughs, such as 200,000 affordable housing units; free high-quality, full-day Pre-K for All; and moving nearly 2,000 additional NYPD officers onto the street.

The FY 2018 Preliminary Budget builds on that foundation through targeted investments that touch the lives of New Yorkers across the city:

• Hiring 200 part-time school crossing guards and 100 full-time school crossing guard supervisors to ensure 100 percent coverage at all school crossing posts citywide through $5.4 million in FY17 and $6.3 million in FY18.
• Keeping officers safe through the installation of bullet-proof window inserts - $5.2 million in FY17 and $5.2 million in FY18 – and upgrading the Rodman’s Neck Firearms Training Facility, a capital investment that will total $275 million over FY18-FY19.
• Building and maintaining pedestrian ramps to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, funded by an additional $478 million in FY17-FY27 capital investments.
• Ensuring thousands of NYCHA residents have fully functioning roofs due to a $1 billion capital commitment to repair 729 roofsover the next ten years.
• Keeping the Mayor’s commitment to complete the third water tunnel. An additional investment of $303 million in FY17-FY22 to ensure that the tunnel is activation-ready and can be used in the event of an emergency by the end of 2017 and fully fund remaining construction.
• An additional $571 million in FY17-FY21 capital funds to ensure astate of good repair on all city bridges through FY25.
• Street regrading projects in Southeast Queens to address flooding issues – an additional $162 million in capital funds from FY19-FY24.
• Continuing historic levels of road repaving through an additional $147 million in FY19 capital funds to increase lane miles resurfaced from 630 to 1,300.
• Build upon great progress made through Vision Zero by allocating an additional $317 million in capital funds for FY18-FY23 to fund new investments to reduce pedestrian fatalities, including pedestrian and traffic safety street reconstruction projects, signal improvements and street lighting at intersections.
• Renovation of the Orchard Beach Pavilion to restore direct beach access, renovate the seating area and space for potential concessions, through a capital commitment of $20 million in FY20-FY21.
• Funding for 22,800 School’s Out NYC (SONYC) slots for summer 2017, which costs $14.9 million in FY18.
• Adding an additional 5,000 slots in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) to baseline the program at 65,000, funded by $9.3 million in FY18, $10.6 million in FY18 and $11.9 million in FY20 and out.
• $6.2 million in FY18 and out to establish new beacon programs in underserved communities and create cultural competency for training providers.
• Furthering Equity in Excellence through advancing the administration’s universal literacy program by the expansion ofSummer in the City (SITC). This program expansion, which will cost $1.9 million in FY17, $14.3 million in FY18 and $14.6 million in FY19 and out, will target second graders at risk academically in math and reading, allow 5,000 second- through fifth-grade students to participate in DYCD COMPASS programs, expand the career awareness program for Renewal high schools and expand summer programs from four hours to six.
• Funding critical upgrades and improvements to Special Education Student Information System to better deliver special education service. This is funded through $12.7 million in FY17 and $16.2 million in FY18 with additional funding in the out years.
• Improving internet speed in all of our schools through a commitment of $23.6 million in FY17, $16.4 million in FY18, $8.6 million in FY19, $11.2 million in FY20 and $11.5 million in FY21.
• Increasing K-12 capacity by adding $495 million in capital expenses in FY20-FY24 to keep the Mayor’s commitment to increase capacity for 38,487 new school seats at a total of $4.6 billion.
• Expanding Gun Violence Crisis Management to serve an additional 500 at-risk youth, for a total of 1,700, across seventeen neighborhoods with the highest rate of gun violence and hiring an additional 60 outreach workers at a cost of $4.5 million in FY18, continuing in the out years.
• Providing a wage increase to nearly 90,000 employees ofcontracted human service employees by 2020.

Rubén Díaz Jr. For Mayor, This Year

   In a statement to the New York Observer Bronx Borough President said the following to a question of if he is running for mayor against popular Democratic incumbent Bill de Blasio - Diaz Jr. said that he doesn’t know “right now what may or may not happen,” but he refused still to rule out the possibility. 

   Diaz Jr. is close with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who in his state budget may have saved the Kingsbridge National Ice Center proposal at the Kingsbridge Armory by giving more state EDC aid to the project which has been stalled in the courts. Because of the court problems and lack of financing, it had seemed that Diaz Jr.'s hallmark project to revive the Kingsbridge Armory and surrounding area had failed. Now with new state financing the KNIC project could be back on tract which would give Diaz Jr. a lift, but have him owe the governor a favor. 

   City Comptroller Scott Stringer has said that he would run for Mayor only if current Mayor Bill de Blasio was indicted. This could be the favor Diaz Jr. is to repay the governor by running against the mayor that the governor is said to be at odds with, and looking for a candidate to run against the mayor. There would always be the probability of a high paying state job if Diaz Jr. was to lose. 

News From Congressman Eliot L. Engel

Engel Statement On MTA Plans to Expand Testing For Sleep Apnea  

Renews push for implementation of Positive Train Control on railways

Washington D.C.—Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement regarding MTA plans to expand testing for sleep apnea across all divisions:

“The MTA’s proposal to expand sleep apnea testing is a good step in helping to identify issues that may affect some of our engineers and conductors. Safety in our train system is paramount, and we should be doing all we can to ensure our passengers are at not at risk when utilizing rail travel. But what we really need to prevent future rail accidents is Positive Train Control (PTC).

“In 2008, the U.S. Congress passed legislation requiring PTC implementation, which I supported and voted to enact.  Today we are approaching a decade since that legislation was passed, and still railways in the busy Northeast Corridor are without this vital, lifesaving technology. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, PTC technology  is ‘capable of reliably and functionally preventing train-to-train collisions, over speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a main line switch in the wrong position.’ As the tragic incidents of trail derailments continue to occur across the country, it is obvious that more could and should be done to improve rail safety. We need to upgrade our rail lines and retrofit all our trains with PTC technology, and we need to do it immediately.”

Rep. Engel Statement in Opposition of H.R. 7

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a member of the House Pro Choice Caucus, released the following statement on H.R. 7, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which the House passed this afternoon:

“House Republicans have chosen once again to target women’s personal freedoms, just days after hundreds of thousands filled D.C.’s streets to defend them. The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, which I vehemently oppose and voted against, expands and makes permanent abortion coverage bans. As a result, women seeking abortions are cut off from care on account of where they get insurance or where they live. Policies like this are even more harmful for low-income families and women of color.

“Congress should not determine what is best for a woman’s health. As a proud participant in this weekend’s Women’s March, I regret that House Republicans have once again targeted women in this dangerous way.”

Rep. Engel on House Republicans’ Refusal to Act on Paris Climate Agreement

Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, offered an amendment to the Republican Authorization and Oversight Plan of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for the 115th Congress. The amendment would have required the Committee to consider actions needed to meet our obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement. 

“The Republican plan for the new Congress says nothing about how our national energy policy should prevent or mitigate the effects of climate change,” Engel said.“My amendment would have added language to ensure that the Committee considers actions needed to meet our obligations under the Paris Agreement. Sadly, my suggested language was voted down, as partisan politics once again got in the way of protecting our environment and our children’s future.

“The Paris Agreement was a historic moment in the fight against climate change by establishing a strong global consensus to reduce carbon pollution and set the world on a path to a clean-energy future. We have an opportunity to implement policies that encourage American businesses to invest in new technologies and drive innovation, but my Republican colleagues remain singularly focused on the fossil fuel industry. To ignore such a large component of energy and climate policy is an enormous mistake.”

As President Trump and the Republican Party prepares to boost fossil fuel production, a new Pew Research Center poll finds that 65 percent of Americans would rather the U.S. focus on developing clean energy. 

The Engel amendment was defeated 21-30 on a party-line vote.

MAYOR DE BLASIO INVESTING $1 BILLION TO REPLACE ROOFS AT MORE THAN 700 NYCHA BUILDINGS, COMBATTING LEAKS AND MOLD

Investment will fix over 700 NYCHA roofs, benefitting more than 120,000 NYCHA residents

    Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Housing Authority Chair Shola Olatoye today committed $1 billion in City capital to replace deteriorating roofs on NYCHA buildings over the next 10 years. Over 700 buildings and more than 120,000 NYCHA residents will reap the benefits of this investment. When coupled with Mayor de Blasio’s 2015 commitment of investing $300 million over three years, the total amount allocated to this initiative reaches $1.3 billion to fix over 950 roofs which will benefit a total of over 175,000 residents.

This commitment will not only fund the replacement of roofs and parapets (the protective wall along roofs), but it will also help to substantially reduce mold which can be detrimental to people’s health. Leaky roofs are one of the key sources of the water and excessive moisture that causes mold in apartments as well as physical damage to the building’s structure. The total $1.3 billion investment will allow NYCHA to eliminate the leaking roofs that are one of the root causes of the mold, providing a long-term, cost-saving solution that will improve quality of life at over 950 NYCHA buildings.

“This crucial investment – the largest City investment in NYCHA – will improve quality of life for our city’s children, teachers, fire fighters and other public servants who live in NYCHA housing and who keep this city running,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “In addition, these roof repairs will provide a long-term solution in our efforts to address mold, eventually saving the City money later down the line so that we can further improve NYCHA housing.”

NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye said, “This historic commitment is about more than just bricks and mortar, it’s about investing in New York City’s working families and our city’s most vulnerable. Now more than ever, critical infrastructure upgrades are vital as we continue to implement NextGeneration NYCHA, our long-term strategic plan to create safe, clean and connected public housing.”

NYCHA’s prioritization of mold abatement includes measures to eliminate the root causes of mold rather than just abating mold on a case by case basis in each unit. The approach focuses on many different improvements that eliminate moisture in buildings, increase ventilation, and repair damage caused by mold such as plastering and paint. Investing in NYCHA roofs will also improve building operations as well as reduce maintenance and repair work orders. When NYCHA made core infrastructure investment in roofs and brickwork in the past, wall-related work orders decreased by an average of 56 percent.

Exposure to certain kinds of mold can lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Asthma is now recognized as a leading cause of school and work absences, emergency room visits and hospitalizations among low‐income minority populations in communities.

NYCHA anticipates the new roofs will:

• Preserve physical structures by safeguarding them from incoming moisture, saving money on repairing moisture damage

• Address a significant cause of mold in NYCHA buildings, protecting residents and improving their quality of life
• Reduce operating expenses by making buildings more efficient

City Support for NYCHA:

Capital

• In 2015, committed $300 million over three years to fix 223 roofs benefiting 54,788 residents
• In 2017, proposed $1 billion over 10 years to fix 729 roofs benefiting 120,000 residents
  • Grand total: $1.3 billion to fix 952 roofs benefiting 175,478 residents
• In 2015: invested $200 million to repair 259 building facades (to comply with Local Law 11)

Finances

• In 2014: Waived $70 million annual NYPD payment
• In 2015: Waived $30 million annual PILOT payment

Mayor’s Action Plan for Public Safety (MAP)

• In 2014: committed $140 million for a comprehensive effort to improve security at 15 NYCHA sites, home to nearly 62,000 residents
• To date, completed exterior lighting at nine developments
• Crime is down nearly 6 percent at MAP developments citywide for 2016

Wifi / Broadband

• In 2015: Invested $10 million to bring free, high-speed broadband service to over 16,000 NYCHA residents across seven developments (Queensbridge North and South, Red Hook East and West, Mott Haven Houses, Jefferson Houses, Stapleton Houses)
• Installation was recently completed at Queensbridge

Repair Times

• NYCHA is responding to repairs quicker – average repair time is down to 4.2 days in 2016 from 9.2 days in 2015

EDITOR'S NOTE:

When Mayor de Blasio introduced free wifi and free tablets for 5,000 of the 175,000 families who live in NYCHA buildings, I asked the mayor why is it that NYCHA tenants have to wait over five years to receive fully working replacement stoves and refrigerators.

Mayor de Blasio answered that it would take 'Eighteen Billion Dollars' to fix all the problems that are wrong in the NYCHA housing system. 

This is a start Mayor de Blasio, but where is the other 'Seventeen Billion Dollars'?

Come Meet The Bronx Republican Party January 28th & 29th 10am - 5pm

Bronx Republican Party Field Office Grand Opening! This Weekend! January 28 & 29 10am - 5pm 3029 Middletown Road   The Bronx Republican Party is growing and ready to help take back New York City! After historic wins for Republicans throughout the state and the nation, the Bronx GOP is gearing up for victories in 2017. Our Bronx community is invited to stop by and check out our newly updated Bronx Republican Party County field office this Saturday andSunday, from 10am to 5pm: Meet our Bronx GOP team and learn how to get involved with upcoming Bronx and New York City political campaigns! Learn about the latest campaign technologies and check out our brand-new state-of-the-art call center. Meet 2017 Mayoral and City Council Candidates and share which issues you want addressed. For questions, or to RVSP, call Robert Giuffre or leave a voicemail at: 718-792-5800, or email:info@TheBronxGOP.org

Upcoming Events January 28 & 29 Bronx GOP Field Office Grand Opening 10am - 5pm, Bronx GOP HQ 2/8 Monthly Meeting 7pm, Bronx GOP HQ 3/8 Monthly Meeting 7pm, Bronx GOP HQ Spread the Word! Know other Bronx Republicans?Share this newsletter with them. Office Hours: Mon:  11am-8pm Tues:  4pm-8pm Wed:  4pm-8am Th:    4pm-8pm Fri:    11am-8pm Sat:   11am-5pm Sun:  Closed Bronx Republican Party 3029 Middletown Road Bronx, NY 10461

Bronx Jewish Community Council - Project HOPE Passover 2017

SAVE THE DATE!!

Project HOPE Passover Package Delivery 

Sunday, March 26, 2017 - 9am-11:30am

Share the joy of the holidays by 

bringing along  friends and family to deliver 3-5 Passover packages to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly!

Whether or not you are able to come, you can always help by sponsoring a package for only $25

For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular senior contact 

Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers at 

nminkove@bjcconline.org or Cell: (917) 693-3084

Learn more about Bronx Jewish Community Council's volunteer opportunities and how to get involved at www.bjcconline.org 

Bronx Jewish Community Council, 2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467