Requires not-for-profit hospitals inform patients that low to moderate-income persons may qualify for help with medical bills through such hospitals' charitable programs by disclosing such information to patients, posting such information conspicuously, and through social workers.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A6576
SPONSOR: Solages
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring not-for-
profit hospitals inform patients that low to moderate-income persons may
qualify for help with medical bills through such hospitals charitable
programs
 
PURPOSE:
To minimize the costs of medical care for people with low to moderate
incomes.
 
SUMMARY:
Section 1. Amends the public health law by adding a new section 2803-bb.
Section 2. Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Informing low to moderate-income persons that they may qualify for help
with medical bills through charitable programs is crucial to improving
their access to healthcare and addressing current issues in the health-
care system: When low-income patients are aware of financial assistance
programs, they are more likely to seek healthcare services and receive
necessary medical care.
Furthermore, informing low-income patients about financial assistance
programs can help to address healthcare disparities. Low-income individ-
uals, particularly those from marginalized communities, are more likely
to experience unequal healthcare access and outcomes. By ensuring that
low-income patients are aware of financial assistance programs, health-
care providers can help to bridge this gap and promote more equitable
healthcare access and outcomes.
This legislation will improve access to care, reduce the cost burden on
the healthcare system, and promote more equitable healthcare outcomes
for all individuals, regardless of income level.
 
RACIAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
People of color face significant barriers to accessing healthcare due to
systemic racism and socioeconomic inequalities. They are more likely to
be uninsured or underinsured, have limited access to quality healthcare,
and experience worse health outcomes as a result.
By informing patients about their charitable programs, not-for-profit
hospitals can help address some of these disparities by providing finan-
cial assistance to those who struggle to afford medical care. This
assistance can make a significant difference in the health outcomes of
low to moderate-income people.
In addition, not-for-profit hospitals have a responsibility to address
healthcare disparities, promote equity in access to care, and serve
their community. Informing patients about their charitable programs is a
step toward fulfilling this responsibility and promoting equity in
healthcare.
Requiring not-for-profit hospitals to inform patients about their chari-
table programs can help address healthcare disparities and promote
racial justice by providing financial assistance to those who need it
most.
 
GENDER JUSTICE IMPACT:
TBD.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022: A10639; referred to health.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or .regulation necessary for the implementa-
tion of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6576
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 19, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring not-for-
profit hospitals inform patients that low to moderate-income persons
may qualify for help with medical bills through such hospitals chari-
table programs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section
2 2803-bb to read as follows:
3 § 2803-bb. Disclosure of charitable programs. All hospitals organized
4 pursuant to the not-for-profit corporation law or which meets the quali-
5 fications of section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code shall:
6 (a) disclose to all patients and any patient's authorized represen-
7 tative that such hospital has charitable programs for low and moderate-
8 income persons to help with medical bills including, but not limited to,
9 the charitable programs information and contact information regarding
10 such programs.
11 (b) post conspicuously on such hospital's website, lobby areas, and
12 other areas where patients could view the post that such hospital has
13 charitable programs for low and moderate-income persons to help with
14 medical bills including, but not limited to, the charitable programs
15 information and contact information regarding such programs.
16 (c) post conspicuously on the first page of any medical bill issued by
17 such hospital and on any intake document, including electronic, digital
18 or any other method used by such hospital for such documents, in the
19 same font size and format as such bill or intake document, as applica-
20 ble, a notice that such hospital has charitable programs for low and
21 moderate-income persons to help with medical bills including, but not
22 limited to, the charitable programs information and contact information
23 regarding such programs.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01742-01-3
A. 6576 2
1 (d) inform all social workers in such hospital that such hospital has
2 charitable programs for low and moderate-income persons to help with
3 medical bills including, but not limited to, the charitable programs
4 information and contact information regarding such programs and such
5 social workers shall disclose such information.
6 § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
7 it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
8 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
9 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
10 completed on or before such effective date.