The State of the State now has a date — and a new venue
And Hochul and lawmakers are vowing to fight an anesthesia health coverage decision from Anthem.
Good afternoon — it’s Thursday and National Repeal Day.
In today’s CapCon:
We now know when the 2025 State of the State address will be, and where it’s going to be held. Hint: it’s not the Assembly chamber.
Hochul and lawmakers are vowing to take action after an anticipated policy from insurance company Anthem was expected to drive up costs.
Thursday Reads.
Bills Passed But Pending: the MTA Board, oil spill and arresting parents.
🏛️ We now have a date for the State of the State
It’s almost January and you know what that means: the start of the new legislative session.
We don’t yet know when the first scheduled day of session will be. My money is on Jan. 7 but if you’ve got the inside scoop, feel free to let me know.
But we now know when Gov. Kathy Hochul will deliver her State of the State address, which doesn’t have to precede or align with the start of session.
That’ll be on Jan. 14 and Hochul has chosen a new venue this year instead of the Assembly chamber, which she’s used for her State of the State speeches since taking office. She actually revived the tradition of speaking in the chamber after years of outside venues. It’ll now move to the Egg.
What: The 2025 State of the State Address
When: Tuesday, Jan. 14
Where: The Hart Theater at The Egg, Empire State Plaza
Who: Hochul, the Legislature, and many others
See you there!
❤️🩹 Hochul, lawmakers fight Anthem’s anesthesia limits
UPDATE: After this edition of CapCon went out Thursday, Hochul said she had spoken with Anthem and that they intended to fully reverse the policy described below.
“Last night, I shared my outrage at a plan from Anthem to strip away coverage from New Yorkers who had to go under anesthesia for surgery. We pushed Anthem to reverse course and today they will be announcing a full reversal of this misguided policy,” Hochul said.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris said he would still pursue legislation that would prevent insurers from implementing a similar policy in the future.
What would you do if your health insurance company told you it would cover the anesthesia you need for a surgery — but not all of it?
That’s a real question many patients may soon have to face after Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield decided that, starting in February, it will no longer provide coverage for anesthesia if a procedure takes longer than anticipated.
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