What's happening
This bill ensures seniors remain eligible for pharmaceutical insurance coverage despite small pension or Social Security increases tied to inflation.
Why it matters
Protects seniors from losing pharmaceutical coverage due to minor income increases. By disregarding small cost-of-living adjustments in pensions or Social Security (those not exceeding inflation), the bill ensures seniors aren't penalized for modest, inflation-based income changes.
Stabilizes access to medication for older adults. Seniors often rely on consistent access to prescription drugs. This bill helps prevent sudden coverage loss, which could otherwise disrupt their medication regimens and negatively impact their health.
Addresses the gap between income thresholds and real-world cost of living. The legislation recognizes that income eligibility limits can quickly become outdated if not adjusted for inflation, helping to keep support programs aligned with actual economic conditions.
Reduces administrative churn and uncertainty. By clarifying that inflationary increases won't disqualify participants, the bill lessens the need for repeated eligibility reviews and appeals, making the system more predictable for both seniors and administrators.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Seniors' Prescription Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.765
- Reported and committed to rules
- Print number 2187b
- Amend and recommit to aging
- Referred to aging
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
Show 6 earlier actions
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Amended on third reading 2187a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.156
- 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 Seniors’ Drug Benefits
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Robert C. Carroll
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2187--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, BIAGGI, CARLUCCI, GOUNARDES, THOMAS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- recommitted to the Committee on Aging in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
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 April 1, 2021.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02009-07-0
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 previ- ously 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 long- er solely due to a cost of living adjustment. As these income adjust- ments are minimal they should not hinder the eligibility of seniors currently enrolled in the program.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: A.3742 (Carroll) - Referred to Aging
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Minimal as this will only apply to seniors previously determined eligi- ble.
Effective date
This act shall take effect April 1, 2021.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.