NYS Health Foundation Releases Report on Uninsured Immigrants & Insurance Coverage

 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped millions of New Yorkers secure affordable, quality health care, many for the first time. However, as many as 457,000 unauthorized, uninsured immigrant New Yorkers remain ineligible for coverage. Without coverage, many will continue to turn to emergency rooms and public hospitals. However, the ACA imposes significant cutbacks in compensating charity care, leaving a greater burden on providers. It is important, both for the uninsured and for a well-functioning health care system, to address the insurance needs of the immigrants left behind.

 

In this report, the Community Service Society presents three different proposals for New York State to extend coverage to uninsured and unauthorized immigrants, along with a policy and financial analysis for each.

 

Supported with co-funding from NYSHealth, The New York Community Trust, the Altman Foundation, and the United Hospital Fund, this report offers policymakers a practical, actionable path to close the coverage gap and continue New York's leadership in providing a welcome home for new Americans.