S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8943
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 30, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring annual
reports on tick-borne illnesses; and to require the superintendent of
financial services to review the status of health insurance coverage
for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related
diseases
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
207-b to read as follows:
§ 207-B. TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES; REPORTS. 1. THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNC-
TION WITH THE TICK-BORNE DISEASE INSTITUTE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVI-
RONMENTAL CONSERVATION, SHALL PUBLISH A REPORT ON ITS WEBSITE CONTAINING
INFORMATION RELATED TO THE INCIDENCE OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES IN THE
STATE. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) THE NUMBER OF DIAGNOSED CASES OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES;
(B) THE INCIDENCE OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESS IN EACH COUNTY; AND
(C) THE ESTIMATED TICK POPULATION IN THE STATE AND WHETHER SUCH POPU-
LATION IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE, DECREASE, OR REMAIN CONSTANT AT THE
STATE AND COUNTY LEVEL.
2. ON OR BEFORE APRIL FIRST ANNUALLY, THE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION
WITH THE TICK-BORNE DISEASE INSTITUTE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRON-
MENTAL CONSERVATION, SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPO-
RARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE MINORITY
LEADER OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY. SUCH
REPORT SHALL SUMMARIZE THE STATISTICS REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED PURSUANT
TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND INCLUDE ANY
OTHER INFORMATION DEEMED RELEVANT TO TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES FOR THE COMING
YEAR.
§ 2. (a) The superintendent of financial services, in consultation
with the commissioner of health, shall review the status of health
insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-
borne related diseases, and make recommendations regarding potential
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11494-02-3
A. 8943 2
changes to insurance coverage requirements and parameters. Such review
shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) The current range of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme
and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state;
(ii) Reasons for insurer denial of coverage for the treatment of Lyme
and other tick-borne related diseases;
(iii) Insurance coverage required by other states for the treatment of
symptoms related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and their esti-
mated costs and payment models; and
(iv) The estimated cost of expanding coverage for the treatment of
symptoms related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases.
(b) Within one hundred eighty days of the effective date of this act,
the superintendent of financial services shall submit a report to the
governor, the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the
assembly of the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the depart-
ment of financial services.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.