Provides eligibility for services under the basic health program for individuals whose immigration status renders him or her ineligible for federal financial participation and who meet additional requirements.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A880A
SPONSOR: Gottfried 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 369-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 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 stabiliz-
ing the state's health care economy. This bill will provide adult immi-
grants 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 immi-
grants 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:
2019-2020: referred to Ways and Means Committee
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.
