KINGSTON – Two area state lawmakers are calling on Empire Blue Cross
Blue Shield and HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley hospitals to extend
the terms of their prior in-network service contract while they continue
to work toward a resolution.
Blue Cross-Blue Shield has declared the hospital out-of-network, meaning
patients with that insurance would not be covered at the Kingston-based
hospital.
State Assemblyman Kevin Cahill (D-Kingston) and Senator George Amedore
(R-Guilderland) urged both parties to work out their differences while
the expired agreement is extended.
Cahill has sponsored legislation that would require the two parties to
enter into a 90-day cooling off period where previous contractual terms
would continue while the parties negotiate with the assistance of a processional
mediator.
“The health and safety of our residents must be the number one priority,”
said Amedore. “Thousands of county and state employees, and their
families, will now be forced to either travel long distances for the health
care they need or pay much higher costs out of pocket, and that is unacceptable.”
Cahill urged both sides to return to the negotiating table while at the
same time, continuing the terms of their recently expired contract.
