Relates to requiring children attending public schools to provide proof of health insurance coverage

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, the social services law and the public health law, in relation to requiring children attending public schools to provide proof of health insurance coverage

Purpose

In order to encourage the most rapid and efficient facilitated enrollment programs in New York State, this bill establishes a protocol that all public schools will adhere to in order to ensure that all of their students have health insurance. This protocol provides a uniform and organized means for identifying uninsured children within the public school systems and aiding their parents or legal guardians in obtaining health insurance.

Summary of provisions

The section heading of section 903 of the education law, is amended and a new subdivision 5 is added. Relates to requiring children attending public schools to provide proof of health insurance coverage; establishes a response to children who do not have health insurance.

Justification

To ensure the continued prosperity of New York state and the United States generally, we must ensure our state's health insurance programs are being utilized and efficiently run. When a child is enrolled in a public school they are currently mandated to furnish immunization records and dental health certificates. With no questions regarding health coverage being asked by public schools, many children enter the school system uninsured. In order to ensure that children eligible for state health insurance programs are being enrolled, public schools need to request proof of health insurance at the beginning of every school year. Facilitated enrollers specialize in assisting individuals find state health insurance programs that fit their needs and when schools provide them with contact information of students lacking healthcare; they are better fit to serve those needing their services.

The current regime of public awareness and incentive programs for the uninsured in New York State has not significantly improved the enrollment in state health insurance programs or helped utilized the available monetary resources committed to those programs.

New York has the opportunity to be a national leader in ensuring all students within the public school system have health insurance. This legislation can be the first step toward reaching those goals and preparing New York State for the national health insurance transition that we will see in the near future.

Legislative history

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect the first of July with provisions.