BILL NUMBER:  S5998

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
state disaster preparedness plans

 PURPOSE :

This bill requires that the state disaster preparedness plan make
provisions to ensure that medical supplies and medication can be
delivered to pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes located within an
area declared to be experiencing a disaster.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section one adds a new subparagraph to subdivision three of section 22
of the executive law by requiring that the state disaster preparedness
plan consider how medical supplies and medication can be delivered to
pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes located within an area
experiencing a declared disaster emergency.

Section two provides that this act shall take effect thirty days after
becoming law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Ensuring the continuation of medical care to those in need of medical
              

services during a declared state of emergency is of upmost importance.
Therefore, it is imperative that our state preparedness plan consider
how medication and supplies can be efficiently delivered to hospitals,
pharmacies and nursing homes during a declared state of emergency.

During Hurricane Sandy the Port Authority closed the bridges to Long
Island to all but emergency vehicles. In one instance, a medical
delivery company was forced to rent an ambulance in order to deliver
their shipment of an uncommon drug to a hospitalized patient in dire
straits. It took several hours to coordinate the delivery of this
medication, despite requests for assistance from the State Police.
All the while, the patient was at risk and without their needed
medication.

During the November 2014 blizzard in Buffalo, the upstate driving ban
prevented even emergency deliveries to area hospitals. Several health
systems have report that during the three day driving ban, they had to
cut off or significantly limit prescription therapy/dosages to
patients.

As a state, we need to do better to ensure that patients have access
to the medication and supplies they rely on during declared
emergencies. By requiring that the state preparedness plan consider
and make arrangements to ensure that medication and supplies can be
delivered to pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes during declared
emergencies, we can be better prepared for the next disaster.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

S6446 of 2015/16: Veto Number 241

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the state

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect 30 days after becoming law.