NY State Senate Bill 2023-S8760

Senate Bill S8760

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Relates to the automatic identification of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program participants who are eligible for HEAP

download bill text pdf

Current Bill Status - On Floor Calendar

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
May 16, 2024	advanced to third reading amended (t) 8760a
May 15, 2024	2nd report cal.
May 14, 2024	1st report cal.1059
Mar 07, 2024	referred to aging

Votes

- May 14, 2024 - Aging Committee Vote
  S8760
  
  7
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Aging Committee Vote: May 14, 2024
      
      aye (7)
      
      Ashby
      
      Brisport
      
      Cleare
      
      Felder
      
      May
      
      Rolison
      
      Serrano

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

co-Sponsors

2023-S8760 - Details

Law Section:: Elder Law
Laws Affected:: Add §245, Eld L

2023-S8760 - Summary

Relates to the automatic identification of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program enrollees who are eligible for HEAP and automatic enrollment of such eligible enrollees in HEAP.

2023-S8760 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8760

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the elder law, in relation to the automatic identifica-
tion and enrollment of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program
enrollees in HEAP

 
PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

To data match the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) with the Elderly
Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC)

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the elder law to add a new section 245 to provide for
the automated identification of EPIC participants for HEAP

Section two establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The implementation of a file-matching strategy aligning the Home Energy
Assistance Program (HEAP) with the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance
Coverage Program (EPIC) is a crucial step in addressing New York's
senior energy affordability challenge.

In the Spring of 2019, the New York State Energy Research & Development
Authority (NYSERDA) released a report by Columbia University entitled
Increasing Senior Participation in New York's Home Energy Assistance
Program. A key finding of the report is that "while one million senior
households in New York were eligible for HEAP in 2017, under 400 thou-
sand (or 39%) participated in the program." The report noted that "the
gap indicates that vulnerable senior households are underserved by the
program, and because eligibility and enrollment in HEAP can lead to
enrollment in other energy efficiency and assistance programs, it is
likely that seniors are underserved by these other programs as well."

The report underscored the gap between HEAP participation by income-eli-
gible older households and the number of eligible households with older
members statewide. The proposed file-matching approach utilizing the
EPIC database serves as a targeted solution to automatically enroll
eligible seniors into HEAP, thereby improving participation rates.

Unaffordable energy rates undoubtably can compel Many of these house-
holds to make challenging household budget decisions. The proposed file-
matching approach not only addresses the immediate concerns of seniors'
struggling with energy costs but also provides a lifeline to those
facing difficult trade-offs.

By leveraging the EPIC database, which already identifies low- to moder-
ate-income seniors, New York can streamline the HEAP enrollment process.
This approach not only reduces administrative costs but also ensures
that vulnerable senior households, who are currently underserved,
receive the necessary financial assistance for heating costs. The
streamlined process would enable the state to tap into a previously
untapped pool of potential HEAP recipients, significantly increasing the
program's reach and impact. Close to two-thirds of EPIC enrollees could
be eligible for HEAP benefits.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.

2023-S8760 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8760
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 7, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  CLEARE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging
 
 AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to the automatic  identifica-
   tion  and  enrollment  of  elderly  pharmaceutical  insurance coverage
   program enrollees in HEAP
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  elder  law is amended by adding a new section 245 to
 read as follows:
   § 245. AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.  1.  FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
 MEANINGS:
   (A) "OFFICE" SHALL MEAN THE STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY  AND  DISABILITY
 ASSISTANCE.
   (B)  "HEAP"  SHALL  MEAN THE LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
 IMPLEMENTED PURSUANT TO SECTION NINETY-SEVEN OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   (C) "OFFICE-ADMINISTERED PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN AN  INCOME-BASED  PROGRAM
 ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE.
   2.  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF HEALTH SHALL UPDATE THE ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL
 INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM APPLICATION TO  ALLOW  PROGRAM  ENROLLEES  TO
 CONSENT  TO  THE  EXCHANGE OF SUCH ENROLLEE'S INFORMATION TO VERIFY SUCH
 ENROLLEE'S ELIGIBILITY FOR HEAP AND OTHER OFFICE-ADMINISTERED  PROGRAMS.
 UPON  RECEIPT  OF  SUCH  CONSENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE
 SHALL CONFIRM SUCH ENROLLEE'S INCOME AT THE TIME OF ENROLLMENT.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE OFFICE TO FACIL-
 ITATE THE SECURE TRANSMISSION OF DATA  THROUGH  AN  INTERFACE  WITH  THE
 OFFICE'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
   4.  NO  LESS  THAN  ONCE  PER  MONTH,  THE OFFICE, UPON RECEIPT OF THE
 REQUIRED DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF  TAXA-
 TION  AND  FINANCE,  SHALL  CONDUCT  AUTOMATED FILE MATCHING TO IDENTIFY
 ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL INSURANCE  COVERAGE  PROGRAM  ENROLLEES  WHO  ARE
 ELIGIBLE  FOR HEAP. WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE DATE THAT AN ELDERLY PHAR-
 MACEUTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM ENROLLEE'S ELIGIBILITY FOR HEAP IS
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14704-01-4

 S. 8760                             2
 
 CONFIRMED, THE OFFICE SHALL ENROLL SUCH ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL INSURANCE
 COVERAGE PROGRAM ENROLLEE IN HEAP.
   5.  UPON  AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT IN HEAP PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
 THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL PROVIDE  WRITTEN  NOTIFICA-
 TION  TO  THE ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM ENROLLEE
 THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ENROLLED  IN  HEAP  AND  SHALL  PROVIDE  INFORMATION
 REGARDING HEAP BENEFITS.
   6.  NOTHING  IN  THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
 THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, OR THE OFFICE FROM FURTHER EXAMINATION OF
 AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION AND ENROLLMENT IN OFFICE-ADMINISTERED  PROGRAMS
 OR AFFORDABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMIS-
 SION.
   7.  THE  OFFICE,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IS
 AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE ANY RULES AND REGULATIONS  NECESSARY  TO  CARRY
 OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.

co-Sponsors

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Details

Law Section:: Elder Law
Laws Affected:: Add §245, Eld L

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Relates to the automatic identification of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program enrollees who are eligible for HEAP and automatic enrollment of such eligible enrollees in HEAP.

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8760A

SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the elder law, in relation to the automatic identifica-
tion and enrollment of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program
enrollees in the home energy assistance program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to data match the Home Energy Assistance
Program (HEAP) with the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage
Program (EPIC).

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the elder law to add a new section 245 to provide for
the automated identification of EPIC participants for HEAP.

Section two establishes the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The implementation of a file-matching strategy aligning the Home Energy
Assistance Program (HEAP) with the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance
Coverage Program (EPIC) is a crucial step in addressing New York's
senior energy affordability challenge.

In the spring of 2019, the New York State Energy Research & Development
Authority (NYSERDA) released a report by Columbia University entitled
Increasing Senior Participation in New York's Home Energy Assistance
Program. A key finding of the report is that "while one million senior
households in New York were eligible for HEAP in 2017, under 400 thou-
sand (or 39%) participated in the program." The report noted that "the
gap indicates that vulnerable senior households are underserved by the
program, and because eligibility and enrollment in HEAP can lead to
enrollment in other energy efficiency and assistance programs, it is
likely that seniors are underserved by these programs as well."

The report underscored the gap between HEAP participation by income-eli-
gible older households and the number of eligible households with older
members statewide. The proposed file-matching approach utilizing the
EPIC database serves as a targeted solution to automatically enroll
eligible seniors into HEAP, thereby improving participation rates.

Unaffordable energy rates undoubtably can compel many of these house-
holds to make challenging household budget decisions. The proposed file-
matching approach not only addresses the immediate concerns of seniors'
struggling with energy costs but also provides a lifeline to those
facing difficult trade-offs.

By leveraging the EPIC database, which already identifies low-to-modera-
teincome seniors, New York can streamline the HEAP enrollment process.
This approach not only reduces administrative costs but also ensures
that vulnerable senior households, who are currently underserved,
receive the necessary financial assistance for heating costs. The
streamlined process would enable the state to tap into a previously
untapped pool of potential HEAP recipients, significantly increasing the
program's reach and impact. Close to two-thirds of EPIC enrollees could
be eligible for HEAP benefits.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024: A.9369 referred to aging

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8760--A
     Cal. No. 1059
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 7, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sens. CLEARE, ADDABBO, MAY, PALUMBO, ROLISON -- read twice
   and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee
   on  Aging  -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first
   and second report, amended on second report, ordered to a third  read-
   ing,  and to be reprinted as amended, retaining its place in the order
   of third reading

 AN ACT to amend the elder law, in relation to the automatic  identifica-
   tion  and  enrollment  of  elderly  pharmaceutical  insurance coverage
   program enrollees in the home energy assistance program
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  The  elder  law is amended by adding a new section 245 to
 read as follows:
   § 245. AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.  1.  FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
 MEANINGS:
   (A) "OFFICE" SHALL MEAN THE STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY  AND  DISABILITY
 ASSISTANCE.
   (B)  "HOME  ENERGY  ASSISTANCE PROGRAM" SHALL MEAN THE LOW-INCOME HOME
 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  NINETY-SEVEN
 OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW.
   2.  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF HEALTH SHALL UPDATE THE ELDERLY PHARMACEUTICAL
 INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM APPLICATION TO ALLOW PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS  TO
 CONSENT,  IN A MANNER THAT IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM OTHER REQUESTS FOR
 CONSENT CONTAINED IN THE APPLICATION, TO THE EXCHANGE  OF  SUCH  PARTIC-
 IPANT'S  INFORMATION  TO VERIFY SUCH ENROLLEE'S ELIGIBILITY FOR THE HOME
 ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH CONSENT, THE DEPARTMENT
 OF TAXATION AND FINANCE SHALL CONFIRM SUCH PARTICIPANT'S INCOME  AT  THE
 TIME OF ENROLLMENT.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE OFFICE TO FACIL-
 ITATE  THE  SECURE  TRANSMISSION  OF  DATA THROUGH AN INTERFACE WITH THE
 OFFICE'S INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE.
   4. NO LESS THAN ONCE PER  MONTH,  THE  OFFICE,  UPON  RECEIPT  OF  THE
 REQUIRED  DATA ELEMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14704-03-4
 S. 8760--A                          2
 
 OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, AS  SUCH  DATA  ELEMENTS  ARE  DEFINED  BY  THE
 OFFICE,  SHALL CONDUCT AUTOMATED FILE MATCHING TO IDENTIFY ELDERLY PHAR-
 MACEUTICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE  FOR
 THE  HOME  ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF RECEIPT THAT
 AN  ELDERLY  PHARMACEUTICAL  INSURANCE  COVERAGE  PROGRAM  PARTICIPANT'S
 ELIGIBILITY  FOR  THE  HOME  ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS CONFIRMED, THE
 OFFICE SHALL  ENROLL  SUCH  ELDERLY  PHARMACEUTICAL  INSURANCE  COVERAGE
 PROGRAM PARTICIPANT IN THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
   5.  UPON  AUTOMATIC  ENROLLMENT IN THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,
 THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  SHALL  PROVIDE  WRITTEN  NOTIFICATION  TO  THE
 ELDERLY  PHARMACEUTICAL  INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT OF THEIR
 ENROLLMENT IN SUCH PROGRAM AND SHALL PROVIDE INFORMATION  REGARDING  THE
 PROGRAM'S BENEFITS.
   6.  THE  OFFICE,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IS
 AUTHORIZED TO PROMULGATE ANY RULES AND REGULATIONS  NECESSARY  TO  CARRY
 OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.
   § 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
 it  shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
 ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
 tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be  made  and
 completed on or before such effective date.

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Senate Bill S8760

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Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - On Floor Calendar

Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2023-S8760 - Details

2023-S8760 - Summary

2023-S8760 - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8760 - Bill Text download pdf

co-Sponsors

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Details

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2023-S8760A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments