What's happening
This bill expands New York's basic health program to cover low-income residents ineligible for federal aid due to immigration status.
Why it matters
Expands access to health coverage. for low-income New Yorkers who are currently excluded from federally funded health programs due to their immigration status, addressing a significant gap in the state’s health safety net.
Shifts financial responsibility to the state. , as New York would cover the full cost of insurance for these individuals without federal reimbursement, potentially impacting state budget considerations and resource allocation.
Establishes clear eligibility and accountability. , requiring qualifying residents to meet income thresholds and pay any applicable premiums, and outlining procedures for loss of coverage if payments are not made, which helps manage program sustainability and cost controls.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Immigrant Health Coverage
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- 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.
Health Coverage for Immigrants
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Richard Gottfried
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3900
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 21, 2019
Introduced by Sen. RIVERA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to coverage for health care services under the basic health program for individuals whose immigration status renders him or her ineligible for federal financial participation
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 369-gg of the social services law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. Alternate eligibility. A person shall also be eligible to receive coverage for health care services under this title, without regard to federal financial participation, if he or she is a resident of New York state, has household income below two hundred percent of the federal poverty line as defined and annually revised by the United States department of health and human services for a household of the same size, and is ineligible for federal financial participation in the basic health program under 42 U.S.C. section 18051 on the basis of immigration status, but otherwise meets the eligibility requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision three of this section. An applicant who fails to make an applicable premium payment shall lose eligibility to receive coverage for health care services in accordance with time frames and procedures determined by the commissioner.
§ 2. The title heading of title 11-D of article 5 of the social services law, as added by chapter 1 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
[FAMILY HEALTH PLUS PROGRAM] BASIC HEALTH PROGRAM
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commissioner of health shall make regulations and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement this act on that date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09899-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to coverage for health care services under the basic health program for individuals whose immigration status renders him or her ineligible for federal financial participation
Purpose or general idea of bill
To expand eligibility for the Essential Plan to individuals who current- ly face barriers to health care coverage due to their immigration status.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill adds a new subdivision 3-a to Section 269-gg of the social services law detailing qualifications for participation in the state's basic health program, known as the Essential Plan.
Section 2 of the bill amends the title heading of title 11-D of article 5 of the social services law to read "Basic Health Program."
Section 3 of the bill is the effective date.
Justification
Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act Marketplace in 2010, New York has drastically reduced the number of uninsured from 3 million to 1 million people. However, more than 400,000 immigrant New Yorkers have not benefited from new coverage options or public coverage through the New York State of Health Marketplace because of their immigration status. Numerous studies have found that people without coverage are more likely to delay seeking preventive care for serious and chronic health conditions, avoid seeking care for fear of costs, and are at higher risk of incurring medical debt or bankruptcy. Studies have also shown that those who have gained coverage have reduced mortality and morbidity.
The lack of coverage for significant numbers of New Yorkers causes prob- lems for the broader health care system because payers and providers charge more to the insured population to offset their losses related to providing care to the uninsured. But even with this cost shifting, the costs associated with uncompensated care threaten the financial sustain- ability of many safety net hospitals and clinics. The program will invest $532 million into the health care system, further stabilizing the state's health care economy.
This bill will provide adult immigrants with access to health insurance coverage that is equivalent to the coverage offered to their citizen or lawfully present counterparts who are eligible for the Essential Plan. The program builds upon New York's success covering children (including immigrant children) through the Child Health Plus program. It extends coverage to eligible adult immigrants ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to affordable health coverage, averting the health insurance cliff many young immigrants now face when .they turn 19 after years of state investment in their health. By expanding eligibility for coverage under the Essential Plan, this bill makes New York health care providers more financially sound and better able to provide continuous, high-quality care to this population.
Prior legislative history
2019: New bill
Fiscal implications
The cost to the state to accomplish this goal is estimated to be over $500 million. The state will be saving close to the same amount in emer- gency Medicaid spending. Eligible individuals would be paying small premium amounts to contribute to their coverage.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred-eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the commission of health shall make regulations and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement this act on this date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.