Consumer Resources

• Consumer Guide to Health Care Coverage Options in New York State
• Managed Care Bill of Rights

Resources for Activists

• State Legislatures  The National Conference of State Legislatures has a handy all-in-one site. You select the State and what you want to see (Legislators, Bills, Constitutions, Issue Briefs, etc.) and it takes you there.
   
• New York at a Glance - Health Care Facts  The Kaiser Foundation provides a comprehensive collection of Health Care Facts.  The categories include:  Demographics and the Economy; Health Costs and Budget;  Health Coverage and the Uninsured; Health Status; HIV/AIDS; Managed Care and Health Insurance; Medicaid and SCHIP; Medicare; Minority Health; Provider and Service Use; and Women’s Health.
   
• Health Care Reform in New York State In the next few years, different aspects of the Health Care Reform will be implemented. This New York State government site outlines these changes, and also provides resources for consumers about insurance.
   
• NYS Partnership for Coverage Founded in 2007, this government organization has focused on increasing health care coverage in New York through programs such as Child Health Plus.
   
• NY Consumer Health Part of the Public Policy and Education Fund of New York, this group educates New Yorkers on their rights as health consumers, how to obtain coverage, and how to lodge a complaint against a health insurance company. 
   
• New York Bridge Plan Part of the federal Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP), this new program will provide insurance for those denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions until 2014, when insurance companies will be banned from denying adults with pre-existing conditions coverage.
   
• New York Consumer Guide to Health Insurance  This consumer guide, produced by New York State government, contains data about different health insurance companies and HMOs, including customer satisfaction and grievances filed against different organizations.  
   
• Governor’s Health Care Advisory Committee On August 31, 2010, Governor David Paterson formed an Advisory Committee to address the changes to the health care system.The committee consists of unions, health care advocacy groups, and other organizations
   
• NYS Department of Health. The Department of Health is a great resource for information regarding all aspects of health care, including insurance, treatment, and news.
   
• National Conference of State Legislatures the NCSL is comprised of state representatives throughout the nation, with discussion on their website of health care reform and implementation. 
   
•  New York State Newspapers, TV, and Radio Outlets AFSCME gives you direct access to media outlets for New York State.  The list includes over 80 newspapers, 60 TV networks and stations, and 50 radio stations, in addition to columnists, magazines, and news services.  You can compose a message and send it from their site or get the contact information for later use.
   
• Find out how your Representative votes Keep tabs on how your elected officials are voting on key issues with Project Vote Smart’s site.  The site covers State and Federal representatives and includes election results and ratings by other groups.
   
• NYS Congressional District Map  A full sized map of Congressional districts in New York State with an inset for the New York City area (PDF).