By Steve Levy
Governor Kathy Hochul this month signed legislation that will cap the cost of an EpiPen at $100. This is long overdue legislation that will save lives.
Five years ago, I met with State Assemblyman Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) and passed along what I believe was the need to cap these costs. The assemblyman responded and joined onto a bill sponsored with Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell (D-Morningside Heights).
The bill finally made its way out of committee and passed both houses of the legislature. Soon, families with children who might have otherwise faced death after eating something to which they are allergic will be equipped with an affordable EpiPen at their side. It may literally save the life of their child.
Years ago, various medical supply owners callously allowed the cost of these life-saving products to rise to an unconscionable $600 per package. This is way out of the reach of a large percentage of our working and middle-class families.
Action had to be taken, whether it was either government subsidies to make up the difference or an actual cap. We are happy to see that legislation has finally caught up with this dire situation that New York’s families have been facing for so long.
Better late than never.