Future uncertain for NYS's Essential Plan as funding cuts loom

"Nearly 2 million people who rely on New York's publicly funded health coverage, the Essential Plan, are facing an uncertain future as federal budget cuts threaten to destabilize the program. To mitigate potential cuts, Gov. Kathy Hochul is working on a way to protect the coverage. Federal cuts to New York's Essential Plan total $7.5 billion, more than half of the program's annual funding, state officials said. The cuts endanger the program's continued viability."

"Although the state is reviewing options for these people, Hochul in September directed the Department of Health this year to submit an application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to return the Essential Plan to a Basic Health Program, a move she said will preserve coverage for 1.3 million New Yorkers for whom the premium-free program is a critical lifeline."

Nearly 2 million New Yorkers rely on the publicly funded Essential Plan for premium-free health coverage. Federal budget cuts totaling $7.5 billion threaten more than half of the program's annual funding and endanger its viability. An estimated 450,000 enrollees could lose coverage as early as July. Governor Kathy Hochul is pursuing measures to protect coverage, including submitting an application to CMS to return the Essential Plan to a Basic Health Program and lowering the income eligibility threshold from 250% to 200% of the federal poverty line. The Essential Plan serves low-income adults who are ineligible for Medicaid or Child Health Plus.

Read at www.amny.com