What's happening
This bill allows local social services districts in New York to choose which optional Medicaid services and eligibility categories to provide.
Why it matters
Shifts decision-making power to local governments. By letting each local social services district decide which "optional" Medicaid services and eligibility categories to offer, the bill could lead to significant differences in healthcare coverage across New York, depending on where a person lives.
Potential for decreased coverage in some areas. Since localities can choose not to provide certain services or eligibility categories that are optional under federal law but currently mandated by state law, some residents may lose access to services or coverage they currently receive if their district opts out.
Could impact local budgets and priorities. Local governments might tailor Medicaid offerings based on their fiscal health or political priorities, possibly leading to cost savings for counties but also to uneven access to care, especially in lower-income or rural districts.
Requires state oversight and federal approval. The bill directs the health commissioner to seek necessary federal waivers and set up rules and deadlines, meaning implementation depends on both state and federal cooperation and could involve complex administrative processes.
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Who cares
Local social services districts
They could choose which Medicaid services and eligibility categories to cover when state law requires them but federal law does not, subject to plan approval.
Medicaid recipients
People receiving services or qualifying through eligibility categories required by state but not federal law could lose those services or coverage depending on their district’s choices.
New York State Department of Health
The commissioner would have to seek necessary federal waivers, issue implementation rules and review district plans, with districts lacking approved plans required to maintain all services and eligibility categories under the state plan.
Headline styles
Let Counties Pick Medicaid Services
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2779
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SCHIMMINGER -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to allowing local social services districts discretion to provide certain medicaid services and to cover certain categories of eligibility
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 365-a of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this section or of any other provision of this chapter or other law, each local social services district is hereby authorized to determine which, if any, services it chooses to provide to eligible persons of those services otherwise required to be provided by applicable state law but not required to be provided by federal law.
§ 2. Section 366 of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 10 to read as follows:
10. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of this section or of any other provision of this chapter or other law, each local social services district is hereby authorized to determine to which, if any, categories of eligibility it chooses to provide medical assistance otherwise required to be provided by applicable state law but not required to be provided by federal law.
§ 3. The commissioner of health:
1. is authorized and directed to apply for any and all federal waivers required to implement the provisions of subdivision 10 of section 365-a and subdivision 10 of section 366 of the social services law;
2. shall promulgate any and all rules and regulations and take any other measures necessary to implement this act, including but not limited to developing a services and eligibility plan and distributing the same to local social services districts whereby such districts may make
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03842-01-9
A. 2779 2
such choices as are authorized by subdivision 10 of section 365-a and subdivision 10 of section 366 of the social services law, as added by sections one and two, respectively, of this act, and applicable federal waivers; and
3. shall specify dates by which such services and eligibility plans must be returned to said commissioner for review and approval to implement such plans. A district that does not have an approved plan by the deadline set therefor by the commissioner shall provide all services and categories of eligibility required under the state plan as in effect at that time.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.