What's happening
This bill ensures seniors remain eligible for pharmaceutical insurance coverage if their pension or Social Security increases only match inflation.
Why it matters
Protects seniors from losing pharmaceutical insurance coverage due to routine cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). ensures that modest Social Security or pension increases tied to inflation don't push seniors above the income eligibility threshold for assistance.
Provides stability and predictability for low-income elderly individuals. seniors won't have to worry each year about small, inflation-based income increases unexpectedly jeopardizing their access to essential medications.
Addresses a common gap in benefit programs. many seniors face a "benefits cliff," where even a tiny income increase can result in losing critical support; this bill specifically closes that loophole for pharmaceutical coverage.
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Who cares
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Sponsors
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History
- 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.
Protect EPIC Eligibility for Seniors
In Assembly Committee · Aging · Sponsor Robert C. Carroll
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5406
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 24, 2017
Introduced by Sen. BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to eligibility under the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 242 of the elder law is amended by adding a new paragraph (i) to read as follows:
(i) An individual who is determined to be eligible for assistance under this article shall not become ineligible based upon income solely because of an increase in either a public or private pension or an increase in social security benefits as provided under federal law where such increase does not exceed the consumer price index (all items United States city average) for such year.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08463-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to eligibility under the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow seniors to retain their eligibility in the EPIC program if they have previously qualified but are no longer eligible because of an increase in a public or private pension or social security benefit.
Summary of specific provisions
Adds a new paragraph (i) to section 547-b of the elder law to allow an individual to remain eligible for the EPIC program if they were previously eligible but are no longer solely due to an increase in a public or private pension or an increase in social security benefits. Increase amount cannot exceed consumer price index.
Justification
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program assists seniors with the financial burden of prescription drug costs. The already high costs of prescription drugs are still escalating. EPIC has been enormously successful in keeping prescription drugs affordable. Specifically, the program provides thousands of seniors with a vital service by paying a portion of their prescription drug costs. Residents of New York State who are 65 or older with an annual income up to $35,000 (single) or $50,000 (married) are eligible. It would be unfair to punish seniors who were previously eligible for EPIC but are no longer solely due to a cost of living adjustment. As these income adjustments are minimal they should not hinder the eligibility of seniors currently enrolled in the program.
Prior legislative history
2001-02: S.4342/A5149-(Grannis)- Referred to Aging 2003-04: S.1508/A.1429 - (Grannis)- Referred to Ways and Means 2005-06: S.201-A/A.302-A (Grannis) - Referred to Aging 2007-08: S.511-A/A.7923-A (Brennan) - Referred to Finance 2009-10: S.1454/A.6646 (Brennan)- Referred to Rules 2011-12: S.254/A.4451 (Brennan)- Referred to Aging 2013-14: A.4305 (Brennan) - Referred to Aging 2015-16: A.3618 (Brennan) - Referred to Aging
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal as this will only apply to seniors previously determined eligible.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.