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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
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Directs the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government to authorize undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York State of Health Marketplace
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state of health marketplace
Purpose or general idea of bill
Directs the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state health marketplace.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: The commissioner of health is hereby directed to seek all federal waivers and other federal approvals from the United States department of health and human services or other appropriate federal department in order to authorize undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York State of health marketplace.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
As of last year, over 42 million immigrants were residing in the United States, accounting for 13 percent of the total population. Over 40% of the population of New York City is composed of immigrants, while 43% of its labor force is comprised of immigrants. In communities across our state, immigrants are establishing roots and becoming the fabric of our neighborhoods. Yet in light of all their contributions to the economy of our state (projected to be over $230 billion annually in NYS alone) immigrants are having difficulties navigating our health care system taking shape.
Unfortunately the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it unlawful for undocumented immigrants to purchase health care insurance through the health benefit exchange. This is the case even if they are paying out of pocket and are not looking for a public subsidy.
The real consequence of ACA is to continue to force the uninsured to use the emergency room as their means for health care. This is an expensive option for our health care system. It also prevents this group of uninsured from seeking care for early stages of diseases that will turn chronic and expensive to treat later on.
This legislation is a practical approach to helping undocumented immigrants purchase affordable health insurance without any public subsidy and paid out of their savings and wages. By having NYS seek a waiver to the ACA ban; immigrants will be able to purchase affordable health care for themselves and their families.
There are over 4.2 million immigrants in New York state and almost 25% are undocumented and in need of access to health insurance. It is a basic human right that is being denied and actually made into a crime if undocumented immigrant purchases insurance through the exchange. This is counter intuitive and an assault on their dignities.
Legislative history
This bill is new legislation.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.