New York Senate Democrats and public health advocates recently called for a ban on the new "Tier 4" pricing system, which they say could result in New York citizens facing thousands of dollars of additional drug costs.

Currently, New York insurers use no more than a three-tier pricing system, where patients pay a set dollar amount based on whether the is generic, preferred or non-preferred.  Tier 4would add a new level of pricing, which would require beneficiaries to pay a percentage of the total cost of high priced medications.  For example, under Tier 4 pricing in other states, co-pays can jump from $25 per prescription up to $325, or even as high as $4,000, according to State Sen. Liz Krueger's office.

"By definition, insurance is supposed to cover people in case of medical emergency," Krueger said.  "The reason people pay for insurance their whole life is to ensure that if they ever become sick or injured, they will receive the proper medical treatment."