157.000 INITIATIVES AND REFERENDUMS

157.996        Allow Virtual Presence of Committee Members at Public Government Meetings to Count Towards a Quorum

The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) support state legislation or regulatory changes to allow for the virtual presence of committee members at public government meetings to count towards a quorum, provided that safeguards are in place to ensure security, transparency, and public access.

MSSNY advocate for policies that standardize the use of virtual meeting technologies across public government bodies in New York State to facilitate greater participation and efficiency while upholding principles of openness and accountability.

MSSNY encourage its members and member organizations to leverage virtual meeting technologies to enhance participation in public policy discussions and promote awareness of the benefits of virtual attendance in achieving quorum requirements for public government meetings. (HOD 2025-206)

157.997        State Societies and the AMA Litigation Center

MSSNY will submit a resolution to the AMA House of Delegates, stating that when seeking a state medical society’s support of an amicus brief on a legal matter, especially one pertaining to an issue in that state, that the AMA Litigation Center consider the state medical society’s point of view in developing its argument, and that it maintain full disclosure during the drafting of the amicus or change in strategy. (HOD 2019-207)

157.998        Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products

MSSNY will support legislation which removes the sales tax on feminine hygiene products.

The Medical Society of the State of New York will transmit a copy of this resolution to the AMA’s House of Delegates for its consideration. (HOD 2016-168)

157.999        Initiative to Amend New York State Law to Allow Public Referendums and/or Ballot Propositions: 

MSSNY is to begin the process of developing a coalition of interested groups with the goal of amending New York State law to allow for Public Referendums, Initiatives, Recalls, Constitutional Conventions and/or Ballot Propositions.  (HOD 2011-119; Reaffirmed HOD 2021)