Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens; provides for taxpayer gifts for tick borne illness research, detection and education; establishes the tick borne illness research, detection and education fund.
Impact
Beyond enforcing insurance coverage, S07447 also establishes a dedicated fund for tick-borne illness research, detection, and education. This fund will be financed through taxpayer contributions which can be made via individual state tax returns, though these contributions will not reduce the amount of taxes owed. The establishment of this fund signifies a commitment to enhance public health resources and improve understanding of tick-borne illnesses, which have been increasingly prevalent.
Summary
Bill S07447, known as the 'Tick Borne Illness Treatment and Education Act of 2025', seeks to amend New York's insurance law to mandate that health insurers provide comprehensive coverage for treatment of Lyme disease and other related tick-borne pathogens. This coverage extends to various forms of treatment, including intravenous and oral antibiotic therapies, contingent upon physician recommendations. The bill aims to ensure that individuals infected with these diseases have access to essential medical care without facing excessive out-of-pocket expenses due to lack of coverage for necessary treatments.
Contention
Throughout discussions around S07447, there were points of contention regarding the practical implications of mandatory insurance coverage and the funding mechanisms for the established research fund. Supporters of the bill emphasize the critical need for accessible treatment options, given the rising incidence of Lyme disease, and advocate for clearer guidelines on insurance coverage. However, some critics raised concerns about the potential financial burden on insurers and the implications for other coverage areas, as well as the sustainability of the research fund and its long-term impact on public health initiatives.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens; provides for taxpayer gifts for tick borne illness research, detection and education; establishes the tick borne illness research, detection and education fund.
Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens; provides for taxpayer gifts for tick borne illness research, detection and education; establishes the tick borne illness research, detection and education fund.
Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.
Includes Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for purposes of workers' compensation; clarifies that disability includes disability caused by Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases; requires insurance coverage of long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne diseases.
Authorizes the commissioner of health to award grants for graduate medical education in Lyme and tick-borne disease and to designate organizations as centers for Lyme and tick-borne disease excellence.
Establishes that the council on human blood and transfusion services shall review all current medical research and guidance regarding the donation of blood by patients with a history of Lyme or tick-borne illnesses.
Prohibits using cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from elective abortion procedure for research purposes and using any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments.
Prohibits using cadaveric fetal tissue obtained from elective abortion procedure for research purposes and using any cadaveric fetal tissue to research cosmetic treatments.