Press & Sun Bulletin
Binghamton, NY
While some advocates praise recent state legislation extending health insurance options for people who lose their jobs, others point out it falls short for people lacking money to pay for it.
After passing the Senate and Assembly, the bills now await the signature of Gov. David Patterson. They include an extension of COBRA eligibility from 18 to 36 months for workers covered under group insurance who are laid off or have a reduction in hours.
A second bill expands eligibility to include uninsured residents ages 19 to 29 on their parents’ insurance; and a third strengthens and updates consumer protections in managed care and similar products, including better access to special treatments for people with rare diseases.
Advocates claim the bills are a victory for consumers.
“They will go a long way to helping everyday New Yorkers get the health care they need,” said Jessica Wisneski, legislative director of Citizen Action of New York.
Local hospital officials said the legislation is helpful, but much more reform is needed to provide coverage for people who can’t afford it. COBRA benefits allow people who lose their jobs to extend their coverage from work, but they have to pay the share of costs once born by their employer.
“COBRA is nice, but a lot of people can’t afford it after they lose their jobs,” said Christina Boyd, director of community relations for United Health Services. Since an extended recession began last year, UHS has seen an increase in people lacking insurance going to the emergency room at Binghamton General and United Health Services, she said. Because the hospitals cannot refuse care in their Emergency Rooms, the number of charity cases continues to rise.
Emergency rooms are the most expensive and least effective way to provide basic health care services, including checkups and preventive medicine.
