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History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to aging
- Referred to aging
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Increases the income limits on the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program to $42,000 for single and $65,000 for married couples
In Assembly Committee · Aging · Sponsor David Koon
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to increasing the income levels for eligible participants in the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program (EPIC)
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase the income levels for eligible participants in the EPIC program to $42,000 for single individuals and $65,000 for married couples.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 of section 242 of the elder law to change the income thresholds for individuals and couples eligible for the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program (EPIC). This increases the income for an unmarried resident at least sixty-five years of age to be less than or equal to forty-two thousand dollars. For any married resident who is at least sixty-five years of age and whose income for the calendar year immediately preceding the effective date when combined with the income in the same calendar year of such married person's spouse is less than or equal to sixty-five thousand dollars.
§2 amends paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 242 of the elder law to make it consistent with the changes made in section one of this bill.
§3 sets the effective date immediately.
Justification
The EPIC program which offers prescription drug assistance has proven helpful to many senior citizens who face high costs for pharmaceuticals, but do not qualify for Medicaid. Advances in pharmaceuticals have also increased their importance in helping elderly persons remain active in their community. Yet, faced with severe income limitations, declining availability of employer-paid health insurance and caps on prescription coverage which are increasingly being implemented by health insurers, many individuals are unable to afford the pharmaceuticals which may be essential to their health. This bill would raise income eligibility standards to include more elderly New Yorkers in the EPIC program and give them necessary access to quality, affordable prescription drug coverage.
Prior legislative history
S.6998 of 2004, S.2503 of 2005/2006, S.582 of 2007/2008
Fiscal implications
Unknown at this time.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.