Governor Hochul: Pioneering Nationwide Access to Gene Therapy for Our Children

(TriceEdneyNewswire) – My esteemed colleague and leader, Governor Kathy Hochul, has established a formidable framework to advance healthcare innovation and pediatric health in New York. Her initiatives, including the introduction of Long Island’s Biogenesis Park, a national frontrunner in cell and gene therapy research and development, coupled with extending Medicaid coverage to 800,000 children statewide, exemplify her unwavering dedication to ensuring healthcare access and positioning New York as a frontrunner in innovative pharmaceuticals. Governor Hochul’s vision is manifesting, showcasing New York as a center for excellence in both healthcare and innovation. The $98 million cell and gene therapy academic facility at Roswell Park in Buffalo, inaugurated last year, further underscores this commitment. She pledged to "offer hope to generations of New Yorkers reliant on these advanced treatments.” However, on October 6, the New York Drug Utilization Review Board voted to suspend Medicaid coverage for Sarepta Therapeutics’ Elevidys, the sole FDA-approved gene therapy for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, pending updates to FDA safety labels. During the board meeting, families recounted transformative experiences with Elevidys, highlighting significant improvements in their children’s daily lives and abilities. These testimonies reflect widespread clinical evidence confirming the therapy’s efficacy. Sadly, the board appears more focused on financial...

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