Health News
January 8, 2009
Media Advisory: State Health Commissioner Marks Millionth Call to Smokers Quitline
The New York State Smokers' Quitline rang in the New Year by reaching the milestone of 1 million calls in 2008 from smokers trying to quit. New York State is now one step closer to achieving its goal of 1 million fewer smokers by 2010. State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., will celebrate the progress in an event on Friday, Jan.9, in Buffalo, where the Quitline staff are located.
January 7, 2009
State Health Commissioner Tours Western New York to Tout Governor's Health Care Reforms
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., will visit community leaders, health care providers, and patient advocates in Rochester, Batavia and Buffalo Thursday and Friday, Jan. 8-9, to discuss the health care reforms contained in Governor David A. Paterson's proposed 2009-2010 state budget.
Expanding Health Care Coverage and Instituting Preventive Care for New York's Most Vulnerable Citizens
Governor Paterson finds innovative ways to expand health care coverage.
In First State of the State Address, Governor Paterson Outlines Plan for a Stronger New York: Talks of Confronting Fiscal Crisis Head on and Lays Out Progressive Policy Agenda to Help Working Families in These Difficult Times
In his first State of the State address, Governor David A. Paterson outlined his plan for a stronger New York including the need to confront the current fiscal crisis head on. He laid out a progressive policy agenda to help working families during these difficult times including calling for one of the most ambitious clean energy plans in the nation, setting a "45 by 15" goal that 45 percent of New York State's electricity needs will be met through improved energy efficiency and greater use of clean renewable energy by 2015. This goal will also create 50,000 new jobs for New Yorkers. Governor Paterson also announced that he will introduce legislation to expand family health coverage to cover family members up through the age of 29 and he laid out a five-point plan to address the growing obesity epidemic that now affects one in four children in the State of New York.
January 6, 2009
WIC Revamps Food Choices for First Time in Nearly 35 Years
New York has become the first state in the nation to revamp its WIC nutrition program to reflect the latest science on healthy diets and address obesity. This is the first major change in food offerings to low-income women, infants and children in 35 years, and will offer whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits and vegetables.
January 5, 2009
Health Department Launches New Projects to Improve the Care of Chronically Ill Medicaid Patients
The New York State Health Department today announced the creation of regional demonstration projects to address the complex health care needs and social barriers to care for chronically ill Medicaid beneficiaries.
January 2, 2009
Governor Paterson Announces Increased Efforts to Ensure that Vulnerable New Yorkers Have Access to Food and Nutritional Supports as State Sees Record High Enrollment in Food Stamp Program
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State is taking further steps toward assisting the State's most vulnerable residents by authorizing a one-time, $1 million emergency increase in funding for regional food banks across New York. While visiting the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Latham, Governor Paterson also announced that New York has received an additional $364 million in federal funding for the State's Food Stamp Program over the last 15 months.
December 30, 2008
Health Commissioner Uses YouTube to Explain "Soda Tax"
To close New York's budget deficit, Governor Paterson has proposed an additional 18 percent rate of sales tax on fruit drinks that contain less than 70 percent natural fruit juice and non-dietetic soft drinks, sodas and other beverages. Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., explains why this proposal would help reduce childhood obesity and improve New Yorkers' health.