Statement from State Senator Gustavo Rivera On Bill To Expand Medicaid Coverage To Include Blood Based Allergy Testing

(Albany, NY) - State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement today after bill S7450 passed the New York State Health Committee. This bill, which is sponsored by Senator Rivera in the Senate and Assemblymember Nick Perry in the Assembly, will effectively create further access to critical allergy testing in underserved communities by allowing primary care providers to perform standard blood testing as a way to determine a patient's allergy condition. The bill has now been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

"As the Ranking Member of the New York State Senate Health Committee and sponsor of this bill, I am proud that my colleagues have joined me in pushing it towards the next step of the legislative process,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This common sense measure will not only ensure that Medicaid patients across New York State are granted greater and easier access to allergy testing by simply scheduling a visit to their primary care physician, but also will help reducing the health disparities that continue to plague low income and minority communities. I’m committed to working diligently with my colleagues in both houses to pass this bill."