Report on Lobby Day June 7, 2010, another planned for May 2011

Report by John Coppola, Greg Bunt and Norm Wetterau

Cecelia Pelkey Esq., Counsel to Health committee: Senator Duane – she is very knowledgeable about medical marijuana and interested in more information.

Assemblyman Gottfried,  Monica Miller: issues of Medicaid fraud inspection, very open. 

Liz Hamlin, Medical Marijuana:  a real advocate. She understood that FDA insures safety of medication but says the Health Department cannot do that function, and should not, but also the FDA should not be involved. I think she is in favor of totally unfettered use of medical marijuana.

Rob Kent, OASAS: insist that UPPL allow insurance companies to recover.

David Seeley,  aid to Joe Morelle: we asked why Joe Morelle agreed to the bill last year and now insists on changes. I do not think this bill will pass due to this impasse and lack of time.

Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, head of alcohol committee: Discussed various issues including Medicaid fraud inspection Discussed education meeting for next Spring She suggested a series of 2 or 3 shorter one-hour meetings. She would be willing to support them. Suggested time: January or February.

Assemblyman Felix Ortiz: Discussed Medicaid inspections and other issues.

Robb Kent: add insurance companies to recover money spent on hospital bills from the drivers who had been drinking