Albany, NY - Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health announced that six of the bills she authored (A.565, A.1365, A.1464, A.1988, A.924, A.925) to improve care for seniors have passed in the New York State Assembly and Senate. Two of these bills, A.924, A.925, have been signed into law and the remaining four are awaiting the signature of Governor Hochul to become law.

A.565/S.3437 (Krueger) bans the establishment of new for-profit hospices and the expansion of existing ones. A 2021 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that commercial hospice operations consistently deliver inferior care compared to their non-profit counterparts and a 2022 ProPublica article documented widespread Medicare fraud in for-profit hospices. According to the article, for-profit hospices employed fewer qualified professionals, offered limited-service options, and prioritized patients with less complex needs, a strategy that maximizes revenue while minimizing costs.

“In for-profit hospice, the pursuit of financial gain undermines compassionate end-of-life treatment for those at the most vulnerable point in their lives,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “This legislation would help ensure that hospice care prioritizes people over profit.”

“When our loved ones or we ourselves enter hospice, we are putting our trust in that institution to care for us at the most vulnerable period of our lives,” said State Senator Liz Krueger. “We will all be in that situation at some point, and the idea that decisions about our care would be influenced by the profit motive, that corners would be cut to make an extra buck, potentially leaving patients and families suffering needlessly, is something that we should not abide in New York. We have the chance to prevent New York from becoming the next chapter in a growing national problem. I thank Assemblywoman Paulin for her leadership on this issue, and I urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill.”

A.924/S.772 (Cleare), which was signed into law (Ch. 32 of 2025), reforms New York's Medicare Savings Program by automatically enrolling eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries and eliminating application barriers. According to the Medicare Rights Center, nearly 300,000 New Yorkers eligible for significant reductions in their monthly Medicare premium, but many remain unaware of their eligibility. Under the new system, New York State will utilize Social Security Administration data to automatically enroll qualifying individuals, replacing the current extensive paperwork. This streamlined approach will ensure that more seniors can access healthcare savings without having to navigate bureaucratic obstacles.

“Too many low-income seniors have been missing out on critical Medicare savings simply because the system is burdensome to navigate,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “This new law ensures that those who qualify will be automatically enrolled, cutting through the red tape and delivering the support they need.”

A.925/S.762 (Cleare), which was signed into law (Ch. 33 of 2025), reforms transparency in assisted living residences across New York State. The legislation requires assisted living facilities to publish an annual quality reporting and rating system, and mandates transparency in pricing and services, filling a critical gap in consumer protection since these facilities lack the quality oversight systems required for nursing homes.

“These changes will empower families to make informed decisions and help improve facility standards,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “This legislation is not only protecting consumers from hidden costs and supports care improvements, but it also creates incentives for facilities to continuously improve their services.”

A.1464/S.4585 (Cleare) will streamline the regulatory framework governing Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), allowing for significant expansion of senior housing options across New York State. The legislation consolidates oversight authority under the DOH, eliminating the current, inefficient three-agency review process that has severely limited CCRC development, with only 12 communities becoming operational in the 30 years since the original legislation was enacted.

“This legislation will create a more efficient regulatory environment, helping to encourage investment in senior housing infrastructure,” said Assemblywoman Paulin. “CCRCs are great alternatives for seniors, as well as proven economic drivers for local communities, and we need more of them in New York.”

A.1988/S.5742 (Cleare) is legislation designed to accelerate the adoption of age-friendly practices in healthcare facilities throughout the State. Building on the Governor's commitment to make fifty percent of all health systems age-friendly, this bill would establish critical infrastructure, provide targeted financial incentives, and create official recognition for hospitals achieving age-friendly status. It would address the ongoing need for specialized geriatric care as New York's population ages, ensuring that healthcare systems are equipped with the resources, expertise, and incentives necessary to deliver optimal care for older adults.

“As our population ages, we must ensure that our healthcare systems evolve to meet their needs,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. “This legislation helps build the infrastructure and gives incentives necessary to make age-friendly care the standard across New York State.”

State Senator Cordell Cleare, Chair of the Senate Aging Committee stated, “I am extremely proud to have partnered with Health Committee Chair Paulin on this crucial package of four bills that will empower our older New Yorkers by keeping money in their pockets, increasing transparency and accountability within the systems that serve them and--most of all--make them feel seen, considered, respected and prioritized.”

A.1365/S.15 (Skoufis) addresses critical gaps in nursing home emergency preparedness by requiring facilities to establish dedicated storage space for deceased bodies during state-declared emergencies. This legislation, which was born from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledges that nursing homes, unlike hospitals, lack the facilities to store deceased patients. Dedicated storage space, approved by the DOH, would ensure deceased bodies are treated with dignity and respect and families are given the time to grieve their loved ones.

“The heartbreaking experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that nursing homes must be better prepared for emergencies,” said Paulin. “This legislation ensures that facilities can provide deceased residents, and their families, with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

“While the circumstances are difficult to contemplate, requiring nursing homes to develop a plan for storing deceased residents during a declared public health emergency ensures dignity for those who have passed on during a time of crisis,” said State Senator James Skoufis. “This bill addresses a functional gap revealed during the pandemic and I was gratified to see it pass both houses of the Legislature. My sincere thanks to Assemblywoman Paulin for partnering on this bill and helping get it to this point.”

“This comprehensive legislative package affirms New York’s commitment to our older adults,” said Paulin. “By putting the brakes on profit-driven hospices, removing bureaucratic barriers to essential services, and ensuring transparency in the facilities that serve our older adults, we'rebuilding a system that gives senior citizens the respect and specialized care they need. Thank you to my partners in the Senate who worked with me to get these crucial bills across the finish line so we can continue to protect New York’s senior citizens.”