TL/DR –
Changes to New York’s Essential Plan will affect approximately 450,000 residents’ health insurance, with qualifications set to take effect in three months. The federal cuts have reduced eligibility for the state’s Essential Plan from 250% to 200% above the federal poverty line. State Senator Jeremy Cooney has sponsored a bill that aims to provide an option for people to buy into the Essential Plan, known as HEARA or the Health Equity Affordability Reform Act.
Changes to health insurance qualifications for 450,000 New Yorkers will take effect in three months, impacting individuals and businesses like Lauren Goetz’s Everyday Hands.
Goetz and her employees provide elderly care services. With rising business costs and health insurance premiums, Goetz finds herself in the worst financial position of her life.
Goetz and her husband, in their 50s, need their insurance for preventative care. However, affording healthcare is getting more challenging.
Despite living a healthy lifestyle, Goetz was shocked by a 345% increase in her health insurance cost due to diminution in access to the state’s Essential Plan. In 2026, federal cuts led to the required household income moving from 250% to 200% above the poverty line. Consequently, the monthly cost of Goetz’s health insurance rose from $314 to $1,400.
The state Department of Health attributes coverage loss to House Republicans. However, Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Cooney has sponsored a bill, HEARA, that provides options to buy into the Essential Plan.
The Health Equity Affordability Reform Act, if passed, would let anyone, regardless of income, buy into the Essential Plan. Premiums paid by high-income New Yorkers would help offset low-income losses.
NYSCOP Executive director Lev Ginsburg stresses the need for rigorous analysis before expanding Essential Plan eligibility or introducing buy-in options.
Cooney says the bill could take effect next year if passed. Until then, New Yorkers affected by the cuts should update their household income on the state’s website for subsidies. For enrollees, information is available here.
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