Your Weekly Dose of Health August 14, 2015

Step therapy, or “fail first,” bases treatment decisions on cost rather than medical necessity and ignores the safety and efficacy of certain medications for patients. Click here to learn more about step therapy.

Governor Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito announced this week joint emergency regulations to fight against the outbreak.  The City Council also passed a bill designed to prevent future Legionnaires’ outbreaks from occurring.

Senator Jeff Klein and Assembly Member Mark Gjonaj plan to introduce legislation to deal with synthetic marijuana by increasing penalties for possession and distribution of the drug.  It’s been responsible for over 3,200 emergency room visits in New York State between June and August alone.

According to the Obama administration, the number of people who lack health insurance has declined by one-third since 2013.  That’s a decrease of about 15.8 million people.  Seven million fewer people were uninsured during the first three months of 2015 than the average for 2014.