Creates the senior benefits card program to enable and encourage seniors to purchase healthy and appropriate foods at a discounted price

Summary of provisions

This bill declares that access to healthy foods and exercise can make a significant difference in the quality and length of the life of seniors, and that the voluntary program created by this act, with the education and outreach program instituted by the State Office for the Aging, provides an effective means of enlisting many parts of the society of the state of New York in this effort, and of incentivizing the kind of cultural change and support necessary to make the effort successful. This bill describes four purposes:

1. to provide a discount card to seniors that will enable and encourage them to purchase healthy and appropriate foods at a discounted price, to dine for lower costs on healthy and appropriate foods, and to join health clubs or obtain health and exercise services at special rates;

2. to enlist voluntary participation in the program by restaurants, markets, and other food-sellers, and health clubs and health and exercise services;

3. to promulgate and widely advertise the benefits in health and longevity of a regime of healthy diet and exercise for seniors; and

4. to engage seniors, their families, and friends, in a broad voluntary effort to extend the quality of life and the longevity of seniors.

Report on senior benefits card program

Requires SOFA to report to the Governor and the Legislature within 120 days on the feasibility of a senior benefits card program which involves voluntary participation of markets, food sellers, restaurants, health clubs and other appropriate entities in selling healthy and appropriate foods and provides health club services to seniors at a discounted rate, upon presentation of a senior benefits card, subject to the following principles and parameters:

The program is to allow membership by any senior who pays a participation fee.

The card is designed in a manner that allows addition in the future of other programs such as food stamps, EPIC, Medicaid, the federal pharmaceutical benefits program, and other programs that provide benefits to seniors that use a card or card swipe to access benefits.

Presentation of the card entitles seniors to discounts for the purchase of healthy and appropriate foods, with the director and the advisory committee to determine the minimum discounts.

The program is operated by the office, or by an entity selected or created by the office, whose board includes members of the public, representatives of markets or supermarkets or food-sellers, persons knowledgeable in healthcare and diet for seniors, representatives of health clubs, and others to make the board representative of interested parties in this state.

The program is administered by an entity selected by the office, or by the operating entity and the office, subject to such conditions and requirements as the office, after consultation with the director of the division of the budget, shall require.

The office shall promulgate a list of healthy and appropriate foods for which discounts shall be offered by participating markets, supermarkets, food sellers, and others, as well as an appropriate exercise regime that includes cardio-vascular and strength training.

The office is to develop and administer a broadly based advertising and marketing campaign.

The office is to solicit grants and funding opportunities in furtherance of the program from foundations, other governmental agencies, and individuals, under such terms and conditions as the office shall deem appropriate.

The report is to make recommendations concerning several issues dealing with the program.

Senior benefits card program

If the director of the budget agrees with the findings of the report, he informs the Governor, and directs SOFA to take the steps required by this article, and others authorized by this article that he may deem necessary and appropriate after consultation with the advisory committee and investigation of issues and concerns raised by participants. The director shall provide such funds, within amounts available by appropriation therefore, as shall be necessary to initiate and maintain the program.

Advisory committee

The director is to convene an advisory committee that includes representatives of markets or supermarkets or food sellers, persons knowledgeable in healthcare and diet for seniors, physicians, representatives of health clubs, and other advisors and consultants, to aid in the development of the program, and the promulgation of the list of healthy and appropriate foods, and to set the minimum discounts required of participants for the purchase of such foods or access to such health services.

Future development

If the director, after consultation with the director of the division of the budget, shall determine that it is desirable and beneficial to seniors to use the card to provide access to other programs of benefit to seniors such as Medicaid, food stamps, the federal pharmaceutical benefits program authorized pursuant to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, and other such programs that utilize a card or card swipe to access benefits, the director shall seek to reach agreements with other necessary and appropriate entities to allow such utilization.

Education and outreach

The director shall conduct education and outreach to promote the program and to encourage qualified persons and entities to become participants and participating retailers, within amounts appropriated therefor.

Existing law

None.

Justification

Researchers have pointed out for several years that inappropriate diet and lack of exercise by seniors result in preventable health complications This bill proposes a means to effect voluntary change in the society of New York that will result in greater quality of life and longevity for seniors, and will also importantly result in a lower need for use of health care facilities and services by seniors.

Legislative history

S.3495 - 2005-06 - Aging S.322 - 2007-08 - Referred to Aging, Reported and Committed to Finance S.2023 - 2009-10 - Referred to Aging S.2162 of 2012 - Referred to Aging

Fiscal implications

A healthy life-style with preventive measures will provide savings to the State.

Local fiscal implications

EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately.