On July 16, the NYS Senate returned to Albany for a special session. Following is an update on the status of various health-related bills.

• Nurse Mandatory Overtime: The Senate did not act on the nurse mandatory overtime legislation (A.1898-B/S.6342) sponsored by Assembly Member Eileen Gunther (D-Monticello) and Senator Thomas Morahan (R-Rockland County), which passed the Assembly in June. GNYHA opposes the bill, which, it believes, does not do enough to permit health care providers to require nurses to remain past their regularly scheduled shifts when warranted by an emergency event. GNYHA and the Healthcare Association of New York State will continue to work with the Senate to reach a compromise with the unions that represent nurses in New York State. 

• Financing Continuing Care Retirement Projects: The Senate passed A.9238, sponsored by Assembly Member Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo). The bill extends for seven months, until January 31, 2008, the authority of Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to finance civic facilities and continuing care retirement projects, which offer several housing options for retired individuals.

• September 11 Workers Compensation: The Senate overrode Governor Spitzer's veto of  S.3070/A.4364, sponsored by Senator George Maziarz (R-Buffalo) and Assembly Member Susan John (D-Rochester). The bill amends the workers compensation law to provide for compensation for death or disability due to an accident or disablement resulting from an injury that occurred as a result of rescue activity by an employee.