On May 10, 2011, the Global Healthy Living Foundation (GHLF) held a successful Advocacy Day, spearheading a coalition of advocacy groups who gathered in Albany and spoke to representatives in favor of Fail First/Step Therapy Reform Bills A.6049/S.5110. Assemblyman Bing, the bill's Assembly sponsor, addressed attendants, followed by remarks from Seth Ginsberg, President and Co-Founder of the GHLF. Joining GHLF in their efforts to represent patient interests in the Capitol were representatives from the US Pain Foundation, the American Pain Foundation and ABRUD (American Brotherhood for Disabled and Elderly people).

Several organizations wrote letters of support, which were presented to Assemblymembers and Senators, including:

A sampling of the impassioned letters and memorada we received includes:

"The American Cancer Society stands with the GHLF and the hundreds of thousands of people from every walk of life and every corner of this state who are affected by this egregious practice by insurers. This practice puts the health and safety of patients at risk and dangerously interferes with their treatment."

"I stand with the GHLF and the hundreds of thousands of people from every walk of life and every corner of this state who join me in signing this letter. Many of us are being personally affected and even injured by this egregious practice by insurers. Allowing the FAIL FIRST policy practice to continue means allowing ourselves and our loved ones to be put at risk."

— Daniel Malito, Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferer for 25 years

"Collectively, we urge you to support the successful passage of A. 6049. An act to amend the Insurance Law in Relation to the prohibition on Fail First Policies. Step therapy is not in the best interest of patients or the healthcare system because it undermines providers’ medical judgment and the relationship between healthcare providers and patients. Unfortunately, it is driven by cost considerations rather than appropriate care…Research on the use of step therapy in the private insurance market shows that although pharmacy savings are generated, the hospital and emergency room admissions increase. As a result, the use of step therapy does not have the intended effect of reducing overall costs but in fact, increases healthcare costs."

— US Pain Foundation New York State Members

"This is the bill New York State patients have been waiting for. It will protect me, the members of my group, and possibly you and your loved ones as well. Join us in this fight. Join us in supporting A. 6049."

— Paul Gileno, President US Pain Foundation, Inc.

As of May 13, 2011, the following representatives have joined Assemblyman Bing and Senator Young as co-sponsors of the Bills A.6049/S.5110:

The following representatives expressed their intention to co-sponsor in the coming days:

Many more representatives expressed their full support. The bill will soon be headed to the Insurance Committees in the NYS Assembly and Senate, and there is still advocacy work to be done in the meantime! Write a letter of support or contact Alexey Salamakha (asalamakha@ghlf.org) to find out other ways to show your support.

Please click on the photos below to view the full image.

Bing addresses Adovcacy Day participants and expresses his support of A.6049.


(Shown left to right) Jon Meli, Seth Ginsberg, Jessica Jeune (Senator Catharine Young's Chief of Staff) and Paul Gileno meet on Advocacy Day.


(Shown left to right) Nam Pak, Louis Clay Tharp, Assemblymember Nancy Calhoun and Seth Ginsberg meet on Advocacy Day.


(Shown left to right) Paul Gileno, Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing and Seth Ginsberg on Adovcacy Day.


Seth Ginsberg (shown right) addresses Adovcacy Day participants. Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing shown left.