Relates to the continuity of family planning services in the state; establishes a family planning program in the department of health to ensure the continuity of family planning services in the state; covers family planning providers who lost eligibility for federal funding under Title X of the Federal Public Health Service Act.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A427
SPONSOR: Rozic TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the social services law, in
relation to the continuity of family planning services in the state
PURPOSE:
To protect family planning services in the state through a Family Plan-
ning Program in the Department of Health to ensure the continuity of
services.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section I amends the public health law by adding new section 2827 which
would establish a family planning program in the department of health to
ensure the continuity of family planning services in the state. Section
I defines "program" and "family planning providers."
Section II amends the social services law by adding new section 367-w
which provides that the department of health would ensure access and
continuity of services by reimbursing for the services under the medical
assistance program.
Section III sets forth the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill would establish a Family Planning Program in the Department of
Health (DOH) to ensure the continuity of family planning services in New
York State. Modeled after legislation recently enacted in Maryland, the
bill would protect family planning services that have been threatened
with funding cuts on the federal level.
Through the establishment of a Family Planning Program, DOH would be
required to ensure access to and the continuity of services provided by
family planning providers that received funding under Title X of the
Federal Public Health Services Act as of December 31, 2016. Funding
used to support family planning services under the program would be in
addition to any funding applied by DOH before December 31, 2016, to the
maintenance of effort requirement for federal funding under Title X. DOH
would ensure such access by reimbursing for the Medicaid services
provided and establishing Medicaid requirements for family planning
providers that are similar to requirements for other providers of the
same services.
Passing this bill would not only take the necessary steps to protect
family planning services in the state, but would also elevate New York's
longstanding history of safeguarding and advancing women's reproductive
rights.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: A5686 (Rozic) - Health
2019: A5686 (Rozic) - Health
2018: A8294 (Rozic) - Health
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
