Increases the income limits on the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program to $37,500 for single and $65,000 for married couples

BILL NUMBER:S1304A

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

Increases the income limits on the elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program to $37,500 for single and $65,000 for married couples.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 242 of the elder law, subdivision 1 as amended by section 4 and subdivision 2 as added by section 5 of part T of chapter 55 of the laws of 2012, are amended to allow for the increase in the limits of income for the elderly covered under the insurance coverage program (EPIC) to $37,500 for single and $65,000 for married couples.

Justification

The rising cost of prescription drugs is becoming a hard pill to swallow for many seniors in our community who find they must choose between the medicines they need to stay healthy and the ability to pay for other daily necessities. That is wrong. EPIC can help many of New York's seniors by helping to cover prescription drug costs. However, in order to assist more of our elderly to cover the costs of drugs we must expand the income eligibility limits.

Legislative history

Previously introduced in the Senate.

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2015.