S2237A

The Senate laid aside Senate Print 2237A, sponsored by Sen. Rivera, which would amend the Social Services Law. No debate occurred on the measure, and it was removed from consideration on the floor.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday evening that would extend health insurance coverage to undocumented immigrants through the state's Essential Plan, marking a significant expansion of healthcare access. Senate Print 2237A, sponsored by Sen. Gustavo Rivera, passed 41-21 on a largely party-line vote. The bill directs the state to seek a federal waiver allowing use of federal funds under the Affordable Care Act to cover an estimated 200,000 to 360,000 undocumented New Yorkers currently without health insurance. Rivera argued the measure would cost the state nothing, instead saving money by reducing reliance on costly emergency room visits covered through Emergency Medicaid, which currently costs over $1 billion annually. He cited a June 6 letter from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirming the waiver is permissible and noting that Washington and Colorado have already received similar approvals. The bill includes a target of enrolling at least 240,000 individuals, though the commissioner may cap enrollment based on available federal funds. Opponents, led by Sens. Murray, Martins, and Rhoads, raised concerns about the state's finite resources and questioned whether the state would ultimately bear costs if federal funding proves insufficient, citing Washington State's experience where the state paid $55 million annually for undocumented residents not covered by federal funds. They also argued the state should prioritize covering an estimated 700,000 legal residents without health insurance. Rivera countered that undocumented residents already pay taxes and are part of New York communities, and that providing preventative care through the Essential Plan would be more cost-effective than emergency room treatment. The bill now moves to the Assembly.