What's happening
This bill requires the Child Health Plus program to cover ostomy supplies in addition to existing covered healthcare services.
Why it matters
Expanding access to essential medical supplies. By explicitly including ostomy supplies under covered services, the bill ensures that children who require these products for managing conditions like Crohn’s disease, cancer, or birth defects will have more reliable access without financial barriers.
Reducing out-of-pocket costs for families. Ostomy supplies can be expensive and are often required on an ongoing basis. This coverage helps families avoid substantial recurring expenses, potentially improving their economic stability and reducing stress.
Supporting equitable health outcomes. Children from lower-income families or those without alternative insurance could face significant health risks if they cannot afford ostomy supplies. The bill addresses this gap, promoting better health and dignity for vulnerable populations.
Setting a precedent for comprehensive pediatric care. By broadening what is considered a basic health need, the bill could influence future expansions of Child Health Plus and other state health programs to be more inclusive of necessary medical supplies and services.
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
Cover Kids' Ostomy Supplies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
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.
Cover Ostomy Supplies for Kids
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5689
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 13, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- 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 coverage of ostomy supplies in the child health plus program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 7 of section 2510 of the public health law, as amended by chapter 428 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
7. "Covered health care services" means: the services of physicians, optometrists, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives and other related professional personnel which are provided on an outpatient basis, including routine well-child visits; diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury; inpatient health care services; laboratory tests; diagnostic x-rays; prescription and non-prescription drugs, ostomy supplies and durable medical equipment; radiation therapy; chemotherapy; hemodialysis; outpatient blood clotting factor products and other treatments and services furnished in connection with the care of hemophilia and other blood clotting protein deficiencies; emergency room services; hospice services; emergency, preventive and routine dental care, including medically necessary orthodontia but excluding cosmetic surgery; emergency, preventive and routine vision care, including eyeglasses; speech and hearing services; and, inpatient and outpatient mental health, alcohol and substance abuse services as defined by the commissioner in consultation with the superintendent. "Covered health care services" shall not include drugs, procedures and supplies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction when provided to, or prescribed for use by, a person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to article six-C of the correction law, provided that any denial of coverage of such drugs, procedures or supplies shall provide the patient with the means of obtaining additional information concerning both the denial and the means of challenging such denial.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03120-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to coverage of ostomy supplies in the child health plus program
Purpose or general idea of the bill
This bill would require the child health plus program to include ostomy equipment and supplies as a covered health care service.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends subdivision 7 of section 2510 of the public health law by adding ostomy equipment and supplies to the list of covered health services.
Section 2 is the effective date of the bill.
Justification
New York's Child Health Plus program currently provides no coverage for ostomy supplies and equipment for low-income children under the age of 19. There are several reasons why children have ostomies, including birth defects such as spina bifida, exstrophy of the bladder and imper- forate anus. Children may also develop other disorders that may require an ostomy, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, polyposis, malignancy, injury and nerve damage.
Out of pocket costs for ostomy supplies vary and are dependent upon the complications of the ostomy. Complex ostomies result in greater monthly utilization of ostomy supplies and equipment. The cost to consumers can easily exceed hundreds of dollars per month. Children enrolled in the Child Health Plus program cannot be covered under other health insurance to help defray the cost of ostomy supplies.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: A.1509 - Reported to Ways and Means
2015-2016: A.1038 - Referred to Health
2013-2014: A.10072 - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.