Schenectady County's health care innovations have become a model for the state

In 2004, the Democratic Majority on the County Legislature set out to bring savings to the taxpayers through health care coverage innovation. Schenectady County led the nation with its plan to allow employees to purchase prescription drugs from Canada and that plan has saved taxpayers in Schenectady County millions of dollars while maintaining safe and affordable health care for county employees.

Schenectady County has saved $5.8 million since 2005 through this innovative plan, including a savings of $730,000 in 2008.

Now, New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz wants to follow Schenectady County's lead by bringing this kind of savings to taxpayers statewide and improving access to prescription drugs for seniors across New York State.

Senator Diaz has introduced Senate Bill 1645 to do for New York State what the Schenectady County has done in purchasing bulk prescription drugs from Canada. “In my capacity as the Chair of the New York State Committee on Aging, I must insist that no senior citizen in New York State should have to decide if he or she will eat or get their prescription medication,” declared Senator Diaz. “This legislation will allow the State to make bulk purchases of prescription drugs from Canada for our seniors.”Click here for more news coverage.