BILL NUMBER: S2187

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the elder law, in relation to eligibility under the
program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow seniors to retain their eligibility in the EPIC program if they
have previously qualified but are no longer eligible because of an
increase in a public or private pension or social security benefit.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Adds a new paragraph (i) to section 547-b of the elder law to allow an
individual to remain eligible for the EPIC program if they were previ-
ously eligible but are no longer solely due to an increase in a public
or private pension or an increase in social security benefits.  Increase
amount cannot exceed consumer price index.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program assists
seniors with the financial burden of prescription drug costs. The
already high costs of prescription drugs are still escalating. EPIC has
been enormously successful in keeping prescription drugs affordable.
Specifically, the program provides thousands of seniors with a vital
service by paying a portion of their prescription drug costs. Residents
of New York State who are 65 or older with an annual income up to
$35,000 (single) or $50,000 (married) are eligible. It would be unfair
to punish seniors who were previously eligible for EPIC but are no long-
er solely due to a cost of living adjustment. As these income adjust-
ments are minimal they should not hinder the eligibility of seniors
currently enrolled in the program.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A.3742 (Carroll) - Referred to Aging

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal as this will only apply to seniors previously determined eligi-
ble.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S2187b

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the elder law, in relation to eligibility under the
program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To allow seniors to retain their eligibility in the EPIC program if they
have previously qualified but are no longer eligible because of an
increase in a public or private pension or social security benefit.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Adds a new paragraph (i) to section 547-b of the elder law to allow an
individual to remain eligible for the EPIC program if they were previ-
ously eligible but are no longer solely due to an increase in a public
or private pension or an increase in social security benefits.  Increase
amount cannot exceed consumer price index.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program assists
seniors with the financial burden of prescription drug costs. The
already high costs of prescription drugs are still escalating. EPIC has
been enormously successful in keeping prescription drugs affordable.
Specifically, the program provides thousands of seniors with a vital
service by paying a portion of their prescription drug costs. Residents
of New York State who are 65 or older with an annual income up to
$35,000 (single) or $50,000 (married) are eligible. It would be unfair
to punish seniors who were previously eligible for EPIC but are no long-
er solely due to a cost of living adjustment. As these income adjust-
ments are minimal they should not hinder the eligibility of seniors
currently enrolled in the program.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A.3742 (Carroll) - Referred to Aging

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

Minimal as this will only apply to seniors previously determined eligi-
ble.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect April 1, 2021.