What's happening
This bill requires New York's Department of Health to fund organizations that inform immigrants about available health care services and benefits.
Why it matters
Improves immigrant access to health care. by ensuring outreach and education are tailored to immigrants’ languages and local needs, helping reduce confusion about what services are available.
Clarifies program eligibility. for immigrants by requiring organizations to explain which health benefit programs (like Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Insurance) immigrants can access, which may help families avoid missing out on vital care due to misunderstanding complex rules.
Strengthens community-based support. by channeling resources directly to trusted local organizations, increasing the likelihood that immigrants will receive accurate, culturally competent information from sources they trust.
Reduces administrative barriers. by making the Department of Health responsible for providing and funding all necessary educational materials, potentially making the enrollment process for health services smoother for both organizations and immigrants.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Inform Immigrants on Health Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5088
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the department of health to contract with community-based and not-for-profit organizations for the provision of information on health care services and benefits available to immigrants
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (u) and (v) of subdivision 1 of section 201 of the public health law, paragraph (u) as added by chapter 939 of the laws of 1976 and paragraph (v) as added by chapter 474 of the laws of 1996, are amended and a new paragraph (w) is added to read as follows:
(u) engage in research into the causes of rocky mountain spotted fever and the prevention thereof and develop programs for the control of ticks, insects and [anthropods] arthropods which act as vectors of disease affecting man, within funds made available for such purposes[.];
(v) act as the single state agency for medical assistance, pursuant to section three hundred sixty-three-a of the social services law, [as amended by this chapter,] with responsibility to supervise the plan for medical assistance as required by title XIX of the federal Social Security act, or its successor, and to adopt regulations as may be necessary to implement this plan[.]; and
(w)(i) within amounts appropriated therefor, contract with communitybased organizations and not-for-profit corporations for the provision of outreach, information and educational services to naturalized citizens and aliens on health care services and benefits which are available to such persons. Such outreach, information and educational services shall:
(A) designate which health care services are available to such persons in the community in which they reside;
(B) include the eligibility requirements for the following programs:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10634-01-9
S. 5088 2
(1) medical assistance and emergency medical assistance, pursuant to title eleven of article five of the social services law,
(2) family health plus, pursuant to title eleven-D of article five of the social services law,
(3) child health insurance plan, pursuant to title one-A of article twenty-five of this chapter, and
(4) any other health benefit program the commissioner deems appropriate;
(C) provide information on the manner in which to apply for such programs; and
(D) be provided in a manner and the language which is most appropriate for the community to which the outreach, information and educational services are to be provided.
(ii) the department shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph. In addition, the department shall provide all educational materials necessary to implement the provisions of this paragraph and shall pay the costs of distributing such materials.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that any actions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be taken on or before such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to directing the department of health to contract with community-based and not-for-profit organizations for the provision of information on health care services and benefits available to immigrants
Purpose
To provide information on the health care-related programs and services available to immigrants.
Summary of provisions
Section One creates a new paragraph (w) to subdivision 1 of section 201 of the Public Health Law, providing for creation of outreach services for immigrants related to their eligibility for health care services.
Section Two enacts the legislation 180 days after enactment.
Justification
Changes in the immigration and welfare laws have created a chilling effect on immigrant access to health care services. There is widespread confusion and fear in immigrant communities concerning accessing any government funded health care services. Immigrants who are eligible for Medicaid are not applying due to unfounded fears of potential immi- gration consequences and many immigrants are unaware of their eligibil- ity for emergency Medicaid services. In addition, nearly half of all immigrants in New York lack health care insurance and therefore do not participate in preventative care.
As a result, immigrants too often rely on emergency rooms for the treat- ment of serious conditions that can be prevented through accessing primary care services. Furthermore, increasing rates of tuberculosis in immigrant communities, and a rubella outbreak in immigrant communities in Westchester and Rockland counties are indicators that the public's health can be jeopardized if immigrants do not receive necessary care.
Legislative history
2017-2018: S.3467 - REFERRED TO HEALTH 2015-2016:S.1542 - Referred to Health 2013-2014:S.3187 - Referred to Health 2011-2012:S.1158 - Referred to Health 2009-2010: S.2449/A.5144 - Referred to Health / Passed Assembly 2008: S.8413/A.5932 - Referred to Rules / Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
New York State is eligible for over $35 million in enhanced 90% federal funding for activities, including outreach related to the delinking of Medicaid from welfare. As of September 1999, New York had spent only 3% of available funds. Consequently, a $500,000 state appropriation would result in a $5 million program and fund at least 50 community groups and a newspaper and radio media campaign.
Effective date
One hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law, with provisions.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.