AG Candidate Attends Brewster Shed-The-Meds Event

From The Campaign of Keith Wofford: Today, Keith Wofford, candidate for New York State Attorney General, attended New York State Senator Terrance Murphy’s Shed the Meds event in Brewster, New York. Shed the Meds is a prescription drug drop-off program that has successfully taken more than 5,000 pounds of prescription drugs out of New York’s 40th Senate District, including parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

“I want to thank Senator Murphy for the leadership he’s demonstrated in the battle against heroin and opioid addiction,” said Keith Wofford. “The tragedy of opioid abuse has touched countless families in every corner of our state and more needs to be done to fight this scourge head-on. We need a comprehensive solution to this crisis and, as Attorney General, this will be a leading priority for my office.”
As the former Chairman of the State Senate’s Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse, Murphy authored the state law requiring health insurers to cover inpatient treatment for opioid addiction. Joined by Wofford, Senator Murphy detailed his concern that some insurers were failing to comply with this requirement.
As Attorney General, Keith Wofford indicated that he would direct the OAG’s Health Care Bureau to investigate claims that insurance companies were illegally denying coverage of inpatient treatment services. Through the Health Care Bureau, the Office of Attorney General safeguards the rights of health care consumers through investigation of and enforcement actions against insurers, providers and pharmaceutical companies that engage in illegal practices.

“The Attorney General can play a pivotal role in the battle against opioid addiction,” Wofford said. “We will make sure that health insurers follow the law and cover opioid treatment; that pharmaceutical companies and prescription drug distributors are properly investigated; and we will work with law enforcement to prosecute drug gangs.”

PHOTO/ Keith Wofford for Attorney General