Memorandum in Support
| For Immediate Release: January 19, 2024 Re: S.1366-B – An act to amend the public health law, in relation to the general hospital indigent care pool; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto |
The New York Health Plan Association (HPA), which represents 26 health plans that provide coverage to 10 million New Yorkers, supports S.1366-B. We support the legislation’s goal to protect New Yorkers from unfair medical bills and aggressive debt collection practices by providers.
The bill would require providers to implement a uniform financial assistance policy and utilize a simplified standard form, both developed by the Department of Health. The bill also amends eligibility requirements for financial assistance to reflect updated public coverage eligibility, including those in the Federal American Recovery Plan.
The bill includes a number of common-sense measures to safeguard consumers from hidden fees and excessive costs. For example, S.1366-B would provide additional protections to patients by prohibiting providers from commencing any action against patients for nonpayment for 180 days after the first bill is issued, and until the provider has rendered a decision on the patient’s application for financial assistance, and also by capping interest rates for medical debt, and providing other consumer protections.
When taken together, the provisions of S.1366-B would help to reduce the complexity of health care for consumers and protect them from egregious billing practices.
For all these reasons, HPA supports S.1366-B.