2002 Proactive Legislative Victories

Prescription Drug Prices Hawaii Rep. Roy Takumi passed legislation that lowers prescription drug prices for the uninsured and saves money for the state Medicaid program by negotiating supplemental rebates with drug manufacturers. Using CPA model legislation, Takumi won a difficult political battle, helping pass two laws based on programs in Maine. New Mexico Rep. Dede Feldman enacted legislation that directs the state to negotiate rebates for its Medicaid program, a plan implemented in nine other states-CT, IN, KY, MN, MS, NC, OH, VT and WV. The Vermont law also requires drug manufacturer sales representatives to report gifts of more than $25 to doctors.

Healthy and Safe Communities Eight states-IL, IN, NJ, NY, PA, RI, UT, and VT-substantially increased their tobacco taxes. Pennsylvania more than doubled its tax from 31 to 69 cents, and Vermont increased its tax from 49 to 93 cents. New York and New Jersey raised their taxes to the highest in the country, at $1.50 per pack of cigarettes. Reversing a decade-long trend in drug sentencing policy, Washington Rep. Ruth Kagi was successful in passing a bill that reduces sentences for non-violent drug offenders and diverts savings to fund substance abuse treatment programs. Working closely with the governor, Georgia Sen. Vincent Fort passed strong legislation curbing predatory lending practices, after a tough two-year battle. In Colorado, Sen. Penfield Tate and Rep. Fran Coleman teamed up to pass similar legislation. Hawaii is one of the first states to tackle the expensive and complicated issue of funding long-term care programs for the elderly. The state enacted legislation that will establish a long-term care financing program and a state fund to cover the cost of long-term care for seniors.

Women’s Reproductive Health Arizona Rep. Linda Binder successfully passed contraceptive equity legislation, based on CPA’s model, requiring providers to include contraceptive coverage in basic insurance plans. In Florida, Sen. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz helped ensure that public employees are now guaranteed contraceptive coverage in their health plans. Massachusetts also passed contraceptive equity legislation, rejecting the denial clause that would have exempted religious organizations that have moral objections to the use of contraception. After years of controversy and struggle, women’s health advocates and New York Assemblywoman Deborah Glick successfully passed a comprehensive bill that requires providers to include several key provisions in basic health plans, including contraceptive coverage, mammograms beginning at age 40, and screenings for cervical cancer and osteoporosis. Washington Sen. Jeri Costa passed legislation that ensures survivors of sexual assault are provided immediate access to emergency contraception when they enter emergency rooms for treatment.

Environment Several states passed historic legislation to reduce air pollution, with California leading the way as the first state in the nation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and light trucks. New Hampshire and North Carolina passed bills closing a legal loophole that exempted older power plants from clean air regulations, and Connecticut enacted a law that cuts sulfur dioxide emissions from power plants.

Democracy and Civil Rights Connecticut Rep. Jim O’Rourke enacted a Voter’s Bill of Rights, based in large part upon a CPA model. Maryland, too, passed legislation on voting rights, restoring them for ex-offenders. Connecticut also enacted a bill that provides certain legal rights to same-sex couples regarding medical decisions. Washington was the first state to pass legislation regulating international matchmaking companies. Rep. Jeanne Kohl-Welles was successful in requiring such companies to provide criminal background checks on clients for potential “mail-order-brides.”

Work and Family Fifteen states-AL, CA, GA, HI, MD, MI, MN, NH, NJ, OK, OR, VT, VA, WA, and WI – expanded their unemployment insurance laws to increase benefit levels, extend the number of weeks benefits are available, and/or expand the number of workers eligible to collect insurance. After years of work, Georgia Rep. Nan Grogan Orrock succeeded in passing legislation that increases benefits and allows more workers to apply for unemployment insurance. Maryland increased benefit levels and extended benefits to workers who lose their jobs as a result of domestic violence. Washington expanded its family leave law to allow all full-time workers to use sick leave to care for themselves, a family member, or a newborn child.

Education Maryland enacted landmark legislation to invest in public education, guaranteeing funding of $1.1 billion over the next five years for its public schools. New Jersey passed a bill that ensures safer schools for all students, implementing an anti-harassment and bullying policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity among the protected categories. Georgia passed a bill to study the economic hardship experienced by undocumented immigrant students who must pay out-of-state tuition when they attend institutions of higher education.