Bill > S08751

This bill, known as the New York-Dominican Health Partnership Act, establishes a commission to study and develop a plan for a pilot program that would allow eligible New York state seniors and individuals with disabilities who spend part of their year in the Dominican Republic to receive New York state-funded health services there. This initiative aims to address gaps in healthcare continuity for these individuals, as federal Medicaid rules generally do not cover services outside the United States, often leading to delayed care and increased costs upon their return to New York. The bill proposes a partnership with the Seguro Nacional de Salud (SeNaSa), the Dominican Republic's primary public health insurer, to provide primary and preventive care through SeNaSa's existing network of providers. The commission will explore the feasibility, develop a framework for the pilot program, assess costs and savings, and recommend operational and legal structures, with the ultimate goal of potentially securing federal funding through a Section 1115 demonstration waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The act also emphasizes exploring broader bilateral health collaboration between New York and the Dominican Republic and will expire three years after its enactment.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8751