BILL NUMBER:  S6057

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to direct the commissioner of health to seek
a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing
undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance
through the New York state of health marketplace

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

Directs the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal
government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to
purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state
health marketplace.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Section 1: The commissioner of health is hereby directed to seek all
federal waivers and other federal approvals from the United States
department of health and human services or other appropriate federal
department in order to authorize undocumented immigrants to purchase
unsubsidized health insurance through the New York State of health
marketplace.

Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.

 JUSTIFICATION :
              

As of last year, over 42 million immigrants were residing in the
United States, accounting for 13 percent of the total population.
Over 40% of the population of New York City is composed of immigrants,
while 43% of its labor force is comprised of immigrants.  In
communities across our state, immigrants are establishing roots and
becoming the fabric of our neighborhoods. Yet in light of all their
contributions to the economy of our state (projected to be over $230
billion annually in NYS alone) immigrants are having difficulties
navigating our health care system taking shape.

Unfortunately the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it unlawful for
undocumented immigrants to purchase health care insurance through the
health benefit exchange. This is the case even if they are paying out
of pocket and are not looking for a public subsidy.

The real consequence of ACA is to continue to force the uninsured to
use the emergency room as their means for health care. This is an
expensive option for our health care system. It also prevents this
group of uninsured from seeking care for early stages of diseases that
will turn chronic and expensive to treat later on.

This legislation is a practical approach to helping undocumented
immigrants purchase affordable health insurance without any public
subsidy and paid out of their savings and wages. By having NYS seek a
waiver to the ACA ban; immigrants will be able to purchase affordable
health care for themselves and their families.

There are over 4.2 million immigrants in New York state and almost 25%
are undocumented and in need of access to health insurance. It is a
basic human right that is being denied and actually made into a crime
if undocumented immigrant purchases insurance through the exchange.
This is counter intuitive and an assault on their dignities.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

This bill is new legislation.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.