Enacts the New York-Dominican health partnership act; establishes a commission to study and develop a framework for authorizing New York state-funded health services for eligible seniors and individuals with disabilities residing part-time or full-time in the Dominican Republic.
STATE OF NEW YORK
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8751
IN SENATE
January 8, 2026
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Introduced by Sen. SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT in relation to establishing the New York-Dominican health part-
nership act, creating a commission to study and develop a framework
for authorizing New York state-funded health services for eligible
seniors and individuals with disabilities residing part-time or full-
time in the Dominican Republic, and to explore bilateral health
collaboration between the state of New York and the Dominican Repub-
lic; and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
2 the "New York-Dominican health partnership act".
3 § 2. Legislative findings and intent. 1. The legislature finds that a
4 significant number of New York residents, particularly seniors and indi-
5 viduals with disabilities, maintain close cultural, familial, and resi-
6 dential ties with the Dominican Republic, often residing part of the
7 year abroad while remaining eligible for health care and social services
8 in New York state.
9 2. The legislature further finds that medical services in the Domini-
10 can Republic can often be delivered at a substantially lower cost than
11 comparable services in New York, while maintaining acceptable quality
12 standards, particularly when coordinated through accredited facilities.
13 3. It is the intent of this legislation to explore innovative ways to:
14 (a) improve health care accessibility and affordability for eligible
15 New York residents abroad;
16 (b) strengthen bilateral cooperation between the state of New York and
17 the Dominican Republic in public health, medical education, and elder
18 care; and
19 (c) identify potential state-only pilot programs or federal waiver
20 mechanisms that could permit Medicaid or state health benefits to
21 support care provided in certified Dominican medical institutions.
22 4. Nothing in this act shall be construed to expand eligibility for
23 federal Medicaid expenditures outside the United States, unless express-
24 ly authorized by federal law or waiver.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13909-01-5
S. 8751 2
1 § 3. Establishment of the New York-Dominican health partnership
2 commission. 1. There is hereby established the New York-Dominican health
3 partnership commission ("the commission").
4 2. The commission shall consist of nine members, appointed as follows:
5 (a) The commissioner of health, or their designee;
6 (b) The commissioner of the office for the aging, or their designee;
7 (c) The commissioner of temporary and disability assistance, or their
8 designee;
9 (d) One member appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
10 (e) One member appointed by the temporary president of the senate;
11 (f) One member appointed by the governor;
12 (g) One member representing the Consulate General of the Dominican
13 Republic in New York;
14 (h) One expert in international health policy from a New York-based
15 university; and
16 (i) One representative from a recognized Dominican community organiza-
17 tion in New York state.
18 3. The commission shall select from among its members a chairperson
19 and vice-chairperson. Members shall serve without compensation but shall
20 be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the
21 performance of their duties.
22 § 4. Duties of the commission. The commission shall:
23 1. Conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility, cost-effective-
24 ness, and legal requirements of establishing a bilateral health partner-
25 ship between the state of New York and the Dominican Republic.
26 2. Explore potential models for:
27 (a) state-funded pilot programs allowing qualified New York residents
28 to access approved medical services abroad;
29 (b) accreditation systems for Dominican health facilities meeting New
30 York public health standards;
31 (c) reciprocal telehealth and information exchange programs;
32 (d) long-term care partnerships and geriatrics exchange programs; and
33 (e) opportunities for federal collaboration or waivers under section
34 1115 of the Social Security Act.
35 3. Assess potential fiscal savings to New York's Medicaid program and
36 economic benefits for both jurisdictions.
37 4. Develop recommendations for:
38 (a) statutory or regulatory changes required at the state level;
39 (b) potential memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or bilateral agree-
40 ments between New York and the Dominican Ministry of Public Health; and
41 (c) next steps toward implementation of a demonstration project.
42 § 5. Reporting. The commission shall submit a final report of its
43 findings and recommendations to the governor, the speaker of the assem-
44 bly, the temporary president of the senate, and the chairs of the health
45 and aging committees no later than eighteen months after the effective
46 date of this act. The report shall include proposed statutory language,
47 fiscal impact estimates, and an implementation plan for potential pilot
48 initiatives.
49 § 6. Cooperation of agencies. All departments, divisions, boards,
50 bureaus, commissions, and agencies of the state and its political subdi-
51 visions shall provide the commission with any information and assistance
52 it may require in carrying out its duties under this act.
53 § 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
54 deemed repealed two years after such date.
