Bill aims for public insurance to cover medical marijuana

Legislation has been reintroduced in the 2023-2024 legislative session that would add coverage of medical marijuana to public insurance programs in New York, reports Staten Island Live.

The bill would amend the state’s Public Health Law to deem medical marijuana a “prescription drug,” “covered drug,” or “health care service” to authorize insurance coverage through Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), Essential Plan programs and workers’ compensation.