What's happening
This bill allows New York counties to opt out of providing certain optional Medicaid services for new or returning enrollees.
Why it matters
Shifts Medicaid Service Availability. By letting counties opt out of offering certain optional Medicaid services to new or returning enrollees, this bill could create significant differences in healthcare access depending on where a person lives, potentially leading to uneven health outcomes across the state.
Local Budget Flexibility vs. Coverage Gaps. Counties could reduce their Medicaid spending by not offering optional services, which may help local budgets but could also mean fewer services (like dental, vision, mental health, or other optional benefits) for vulnerable populations starting or resuming coverage.
Potential for Administrative Complexity. Implementing this policy would require tracking which individuals are eligible for which services based on their enrollment history and county of residence, possibly increasing administrative burdens and confusion for both enrollees and providers.
Federal Oversight and Uncertainty. The bill directs state health officials to seek federal waivers, which introduces uncertainty—these waivers must be approved by the federal government, and rejection or conditions could delay or complicate the policy’s rollout.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Let Counties Cut Medicaid Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
11 Co-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in health
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Counties Can Limit Medicaid Benefits
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor George Borrello
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2806
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 25, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. KOLB, RAIA, MONTESANO, STEC, BRABENEC, BYRNE, DiPIETRO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, CROUCH, FINCH, FITZPATRICK, FRIEND, GIGLIO, GOODELL, HAWLEY, McDONOUGH, PALMESANO, WALSH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring the state to allow counties to opt out of certain Medicaid services
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. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other provision of law, on and after the effective date of this subdivision, the state is required to allow counties to opt out of providing optional medical assistance services to any new enrollees who have either never received such benefits or who have reenrolled after a period of absence.
(b) The commissioner of health is authorized to apply for any and all federal waivers required to implement the provisions of this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04092-01-9
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.