Legislation S.7974A/A.8970A Renames “Christopher Street-Sheridan Square'' Subway Stop to “Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station”
Legislation S.7809/A.8475 Improves HIV-related Testing Requirements and Timely Diagnosis of HIV
Legislation S.8144C/A.8834B Prohibits Discrimination Against Individuals Prescribed PrEP for HIV Prevention
Legislation S.1001A/A.1619A Prohibits Insurers from Restricting or Delaying Access to Prescription Drugs to Treat or Prevent HIV or AIDS
Legislation S.9842/A.10461 Clarifies that Insurers Cannot Impose Copayments for PrEP or PEP to Prevent HIV and AIDS Infection
Photos of the Event Are Available on the Governor’s Flickr Page
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package to support LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and people living with HIV/AIDS. The five new laws will rename the “Christopher Street-Sheridan Square'' subway stop to “Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station”; improve HIV-related testing requirements and timely diagnosis of HIV; prohibit discrimination against individuals prescribed PrEP for HIV prevention; prohibit insurers from restricting or delaying prescription drugs to a person for HIV or AIDS; and clarify that insurers cannot impose copayments for PrEP or PEP to prevent HIV infection.
"New York is the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and has always been a leader in advancing equality and justice for all Americans,” Governor Hochul said. “As elected officials in other states are using their powers to take those rights away, I am proud to sign legislation to uplift LGBTQ+ history and address inequities experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS, further ensuring our State is a safe and affirming place for everyone.”
To uplift the important role that New York State played in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, Governor Hochul signed legislation S.7974A/A.8970A to rename the subway stop at “Christopher Street-Sheridan Square'' as “Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument Station.” This station’s name will now reflect the history that took place here and the symbol that it currently holds within the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition, Governor Hochul signed a legislative package to support people living with HIV/AIDS.
S.7809/A.8475 amends the current New York State public health law by updating New York’s HIV testing laws to align with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s guidance, which recommends HIV testing as part of routine care. By adopting opt-out HIV testing, with oral or written notice stating that HIV testing is voluntary, and requiring providers to give patients information about the availability of PEP and PrEP, more New Yorkers will know their status and get the treatment they need.
S.8144C/A.8834B prohibits life, accident, and health insurers from discriminating against individuals who were prescribed PrEP medication for HIV prevention. The bill codifies a 2018 circular letter from the New York State Department of Financial Services and further ensures New Yorkers can access HIV prevention medication without fear of stigma or discrimination.
S.1001A/A.1619A prohibits insurers from utilizing prior authorization for covered antiretroviral drugs for the treatment or prevention of HIV or AIDS. This will help to reduce delays and connect New Yorkers more quickly to these life-saving medications.
S.9842/A.10461 clarifies that commercial large group and non-profit health insurers (including HMOs) may not impose copayments for PrEP or PEP to prevent HIV infection, ensuring that patients are not improperly charged.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “This suite of bills signed by the Governor today demonstrates the commitment on behalf of Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature, in particular Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie, to ensure that LGBTQ New Yorkers have every right and protection afforded to them under New York State law. With legislation like this being signed today, it should be no surprise that New York State was recently named number one among all states in the State LGBTQ+ Business Climate index sponsored by Out Leadership. I couldn’t think of a better time for the Governor to sign these bills into law than today, the 55th anniversary of the historic Stonewall Uprising, which launched the worldwide LGBTQ human rights movement.”
State Senator Neil Breslin said, “I am proud to have sponsored legislation that would prevent insurance companies from unfairly discriminating against individuals who have been prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis medication for HIV prevention. I applaud Governor Hochul for also recognizing this unfairness and signing this important equality measure into law.”
Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, “I want to thank the Governor for supporting this important recognition of the Stonewall National Monument by changing the designation of the Christopher Street station to the Christopher Street-Stonewall National Monument station. It’s not only a notable symbolic recognition but will also aid visitors from all corners of the country and the world in finding their way to this significant Monument honoring the struggle for LGBTQ rights.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “Today Governor Hochul is signing my bill, A8475 into law. This bill will help remove the barriers to routine opt-out HIV testing and will ensure that those receiving an HIV test will get the critical information they need regarding treatment and prevention of HIV. Early diagnosis of HIV is crucial and this bill is an important step towards ensuring that New Yorkers can get access to the HIV care that they need.”
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal said, “The HIV/AIDS crisis ravaged the LGBTQ+ community, but years of advocacy and advancements in medicine have ensured that an HIV diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Having access to the right medications can allow a person to live a long and healthy life, but those treatments should never be obstructed by risky and unnecessary prior authorization requirements imposed by insurers. As we close out Pride Month, I am proud to see Governor Hochul sign my bill into law to prohibit prior authorization for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention medications. Providing doctors and patients the ability to try different combinations of medications, without the interference of insurers, will help bring New York State one step closer to finally ending the AIDS epidemic.”
Assemblymember David Weprin said, “I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing this very crucial legislation during Pride month. As Chair of the Committee on Insurance, I am re-establishing that insurance companies cannot discriminate based on race, religion, age, color, nationality, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or prescribed medication. A8834B codifies DFS regulations prohibiting discrimination against individuals who were prescribed pre-exposure prophylaxis, otherwise known as PrEP, medication for HIV prevention with respect to life, accident, and health insurance coverage. This Pride month, we need to work together to create a world where everyone feels safe and empowered to live their true lives. We still need to fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and challenge discrimination wherever we see it.”
Assemblymember Tony Simone said, “As a city and a state, we have made huge improvements in the health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community. The HIV/AIDS epidemic took so many lives, and for years it seemed there was no end in sight. PrEP changed all that, and gave our community hope that we could live freely without the fear of disease. A co-pay should never be the reason someone can’t get access to this life-saving medication, and with the signing of this bill today, it won’t be. I commend Governor Hochul for signing it into law today. Happy Pride!”