Starting October 1, 2013, individuals in New York State will be able to begin shopping for and enrolling in health insurance (including Medicaid and Child Health Plus) through the New York Health Benefit Exchange. This hearing will assess how implementation of the Exchange may impact access to health insurance for immigrants and their families and review issues relevant to the immigrant population, like changes to health insurance eligibility, how the Exchange will address language and cultural barriers to enrollment, outreach and informational materials, how access to insurance through the Exchange may help reduce health disparities, and how federal funding received by New York State for the Exchange is being used to improve access to health insurance coverage for immigrants.

Testimony at this hearing is by invitation only. Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible, but no later than close of business Friday, September 13th. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Hon. Richard N. Gottfried
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Health

Hon. Kevin A. Cahill
Member of Assembly
Chair
Committee on Insurance

Hon. Marcos A. Crespo
Member of Assembly
Chair
Task Force on New Americans

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on The New York Health Benefit Exchange and its Impact on Immigrants and their Families are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible, but no later than close of business Friday, September 13th, and mail, email or fax it to: