What's happening
This bill creates a grant program to provide dental services for low-income seniors aged 65 and older without dental insurance in New York.
Why it matters
Bridges a critical gap for low-income seniors. By targeting individuals 65 and older who lack dental insurance and live below 200% of the federal poverty level, the bill addresses a population that often falls through the cracks of existing Medicare and Medicaid coverage, helping to prevent untreated dental issues that can worsen overall health.
Focuses resources on areas of highest need. The grant selection process considers geographic distribution and prioritizes both educational dental programs and clinics already serving low-income seniors, which can help ensure services reach underserved areas and leverage existing community expertise.
Enables ongoing oversight and program improvement. Annual reporting requirements ensure transparency about how funds are used, the effectiveness of the program, and whether expansion is needed—creating opportunities for continuous assessment and advocacy for broader access if the program is successful.
Promotes accountability and deters fraud. The bill includes penalties for false applications, helping to safeguard limited resources and maintain public trust in the program’s integrity, which is particularly important for social welfare initiatives.
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Who cares
Residents age 65 and older without dental insurance
Those meeting income limits of 200% of the federal poverty level could receive dental services through the grant program, subject to available appropriations.
Accredited educational programs and dental clinics serving low-income seniors
They would receive priority in a competitive selection process awarding grants to up to six recipients for dental care, equipment purchases and travel expenses.
New York State Office for the Aging
Its director would establish the program, set eligibility and grant administration rules, and report annually on finances, services and potential expansion.
Headline styles
Free Dental Care for Seniors
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to aging
- Print number 4556a
- Amend and recommit 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.
Fund Senior Dental Care
In Senate Committee · Aging · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4556--A
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN, ARROYO, DICKENS, D'URSO, BARRON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. SAYEGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Aging -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to establishing a senior dental services grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 215-c to read as follows:
§ 215-c. Senior dental services grant program. 1. As used in this section:
(a) "Dental services" shall include, but not be limited to, diagnoses, tests, studies, treatment or analyses under the care and supervision of a licensed dentist who is authorized to practice in this state. These services may also include, but not be limited to, client assessment, information and referrals.
(b) "Elderly" shall mean an individual sixty-five years of age or older.
(c) "Director" shall mean the director of the office for the aging.
(d) "Coverage period" shall mean twenty-four consecutive calendar months for which an eligible program participant has met the eligibility requirements of subdivision three of this section.
2. The director is hereby authorized and directed, subject to the availability of appropriations, to establish a grant program for dental services to eligible elderly persons who are in need of such services.
3. Persons eligible for the grant program under this section shall include:
(a) elderly unmarried residents whose income for the calendar year immediately preceding the effective date of the coverage period is less
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06260-03-9
A. 4556--A 2
than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level for a household size of one and who have no dental insurance; and
(b) elderly married residents whose combined spousal income for the calendar year immediately preceding the effective date of the coverage period is less than or equal to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level for a household size of two and who have no dental insurance.
4. The director shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section which shall include but not be limited to:
(a) a process of determining and re-determining eligibility at the end of each coverage period for receiving services under this grant program including provisions for submission of proof of income, age, and residency and information on existing complete or partial coverage of dental expenses under a third party assistance or insurance plan;
(b) selection of up to six grant recipients through a request for proposal process including due consideration to geographic distribution and existing need for dental services for elderly individuals throughout the state with priority given to accredited educational programs or existing dental clinics serving the low income elderly; and
(c) the administration of such grants, which shall be used for the direct provision of dental care and services to the elderly including, but not limited to, dental services, equipment purchases, and travel expenses.
5. Additionally, the director shall submit a report to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, prior to, but in no event later than, December thirty-first, in the year following the effective date of this section, and annually thereafter, which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) financial reports of the grant program operations established pursuant to this section;
(b) an analysis of the grant program's ability to provide such dental services to eligible elderly persons;
(c) recommendations on the continuation of such grants and the need for program expansion, if appropriate;
(d) profiles of the grant recipients; and
(e) other information deemed necessary by the director.
6. (a) No applicant for a grant provided for under this section shall knowingly (i) make a false statement or representation concerning a material fact, (ii) submit false information concerning a material fact, or (iii) conceal a material fact, on an application to obtain a grant provided for under this section.
(b) Any applicant who is found by the director, after notice and a hearing, to have received a grant provided for under this section based upon an application which violated paragraph (a) of this subdivision shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
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.