State Workers Raise Ukrainian flag over State Capitol

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the launch of a new website containing resources offered by New York State and its partners to help Ukrainian people and other refugees in the state.

This follows the Governor’s announcement warning consumers about scams and cybersecurity threats amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This directive comes amid Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine. Recently, the Governor announced an Executive Order to prohibit state agencies and authorities from contracting with entities that continue to do business in Russia. In early March, Governor Hochul announced actions to strengthen the Department of Financial Services‘ enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology. In February, Governor Hochul ordered all state agencies and authorities to divest public funds from Russia and stop doing business with Russian companies.

Resources available on the website include free support services for immigrants and refugees in New York taste, information on substance abuse and mental health services with support for non-English speakers, and information about humanitarian aid including how to avoid donation scams.

The link to the state’s website is https://www.ny.gov/new-york-state-stands-ukraine-resources-ukrainians-and-how-new-yorkers-can-help

On Monday Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the New York Sate Department of Financial Services is taking action against opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacy benefit managers to secure $2 billion for New York consumers who have shouldered the cost of the ongoing opioid epidemic in the form of higher insurance premiums.

The governor said the drug companies knew what they were doing, calling it an industry-wide conspiracy that is as diabolical, as brazen, as obnoxious and as offensive as anything he’s ever seen.

DFS has determined that New York consumers have overpaid an estimated $2 billion in insurance premiums over the past 10 years.
It says the over-payment is due to the costs associated with opioid manufacturers misrepresenting the safety and efficacy of opioids – which in turn has resulted in the over-prescription of opioids, additional addiction treatment and treatment of other adverse health effects associated with opioid addiction.

DFS will seek fines and restitution from the opioid industry and will also be holding hearings across the state to expose the problem to consumers and generate transparency with respect to the impact on the health insurance system.