In commemoration of March as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is stepping up in the legislature and the budget process to help raise awareness, ensure the best healthcare for those with bleeding disorders, and move policy priorities toward improving the lives of those struggling with bleeding disorders. 

Bleeding disorders can occur regardless of age. Symptoms can include bruising easily, heavy menstrual bleeding, unexplained nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding following injuries, dental work, or surgeries. Addabbo believes it is unacceptable that families remain unaware of services and may seem lost as they seek specialist services and navigate complex systems. 

“This month, we need to renew our collective commitment to removing barriers and providing services that enable patients, families, and providers across New York State,” Addabbo said. “I am so proud to support the New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition (NYSBDC) to work on these important issues and raise awareness.” 

Senator Addabbo is a co-sponsor of the Coverage for Children with Rare Disorders (S965/A2384A). This legislation facilitates out-of-network access for parents of rare, fragile and deteriorating children to specialists for the necessary diagnosis and disease specific knowledge. Health plans would also be required to cover these services at established in-network rates under the bill, with notification for coverage being provided in advance to the plan. Currently the bill is in the Senate Insurance Committee and on the Assembly’s floor calendar, reflecting broad bipartisan momentum to meet the urgent needs of such children.

Senator Addabbo introduced Senate Resolution 1674, a measure to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to call for current efforts to raise Bleeding Disorders awareness and concentrate policy development attention on this population. This resolution highlights a common commitment to making patient-centered priorities central to the work of state government and the planning of public health. 

Senator Addabbo is also a proponent of Healthcare Utilization Management Reforms (Part HH, TED Article VII). Adopted by a large coalition of patient and service provider groups, these proposals progress in the Executive Budget and parallel the priorities of Senate and Assembly one-house legislation. The objective is simple: simplify operations which are too complex and expensive, on the other hand increase administrative costs for providers and put off patient care delivery. 

“Today, more than ever, it’s important to make the right care available to the right people at the right time, with clear and consistent coverage decisions,” Addabbo said. “The best things we can do to support these reforms is to reduce administrative barriers to entry, increase opportunities for specialty expertise and expand the state’s ability to deliver timely and high-quality care.”