New York

Status of reform effort: In 2007, The Partnership for Coverage was directed to develop a comprehensive health care reform plan for New York.

In July 2007, then Governor Eliot Spitzer (D) directed the Health Commissioner and the Insurance Superintendent to initiate the “Partnership For Coverage” to develop a comprehensive plan for universal health care in New York.  The group has been charged with studying the obstacles to health care in the current system and to develop, evaluate, and recommend a universal health care plan by May 31, 2008. 

The Health Commissioner and the Insurance Superintendent have been soliciting proposals and holding public hearings throughout the state to receive feedback from the public, stakeholders, academic experts, and legislative representatives.  Eight public hearings took place from August to December 2007 to explore approaches to providing coverage.  Proposals developed through this process will be analyzed by an outside contractor after which final recommendations will be developed.

In a separate effort, on April 1, 2007, the state legislature approved the 2008 state budget, extending Child Health Plus, New York’s SCHIP program, to children in families with income up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. In September 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services denied New York’s request to expand eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, based upon new rules that limit SCHIP enrollment. The state has sued the agency over the new SCHIP rules because they claim they violate the original intent of SCHIP and that the rule was adopted without the required period for public notice and comment. On April 23, 2008, Governor Paterson signed legislation that expands the Child Health Plus program to 400 percent of the federal poverty level using state-only funds. Implementation began on September 1, 2008. New York also allows children with family incomes above 400 percent of the federal poverty level to buy-in to the program at full cost.

In addition, in June 2007, then Governor Spitzer signed S06344, which allows employers to buy into Family Health Plus.  Previously, only parents with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and childless adults with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level could qualify for Family Health Plus.  Employers are required to pay at least 70 percent of the premiums for their employees and the state will pay the remainder of the cost.*