Senate Bill S7979

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7979

SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to requiring a
report on the utilization and activity of the statewide fiscal interme-
diary; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration
thereof

 
PURPOSE:

To provide an accurate count of how many CDPAP consumers have enrolled
in PPL, and to account for those who did not enroll who may need further
outreach and supports.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 requires the commissioner of health to produce a report within
60 days on the utilization and activity of the statewide fiscal interme-
diary.

              

Such report shall include: the number of consumers enrolled int the
consumer directed personal assistance program (CDPAP) as of March 31,
2025; the number of consumers enrolled with the new statewide fiscal
intermediary, Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL) at the time such report is
published; the number of consumers who did not enroll in the new state-
wide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL); and the modes
of outreach and number of attempts to connect with the consumers who did
not enroll, and where applicable, the reasons for denial whether it be
no response, incomplete application or ineligibility.

The report shall also include an evaluation of the performance of the
program contractor or contractors and of the cost effectiveness of all
outreach efforts enrollment and program costs projections for the next
two fiscal years.

The report shall be published on the department of health website and
delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the
speaker of the assembly, the minority leaders of each house, and the
members who sit on both the assembly committee on health and the senate
committee on health.

Section 4 authorizes the act to take effect immediately and shall expire
and be deemed repealed one year after such effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid
program governed by Section 365-f of the New York State Social Services
Law (SSL) and the implementing regulations under Section 505.28 of Title
18 of the New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR). This program
helps people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other long-term
health conditions stay at home with their chosen care and services. They
can employ people they choose as personal assistants (PAs). Approximate-
ly 250,000 New Yorkers rely on this program.

Prior to April 1st of 2025, New York used more than 60dAktdrniediaries
to manage eligibility, hours and payment for caregivers. The Fiscal Year
2025 Enacted Budget mandated a change to one single statewide facilita-
tor. The State chose to contract with Public Partnerships, LLC (PPL), an
out-of-state company, to facilitate the $9 billion program.

Many people raised valid concerns, such as worries that the transition
process was failing to effectively reach non-English-speaking residents.
Lawsuits and injunctions filed resulted in numerous extensions of the
deadline for consumers and personal assistants to enroll.

Although PPL has hired more than 1,200 employees, the transition has
been riddled with many problems. Many people have complained about how
the transition is poorly run and have found it to be inaccessible, unre-
sponsive and problematic.

This legislation seeks to address the hearsay with solid facts, by
requiring the commissioner of health to produce a report within 60 days
on the utilization and activity of the statewide fiscal intermediary.

The report will provide the legislators with the information they need
to ensure that no person with disabilities, chronic illnesses or long-
term health conditions are being forgotten or left behind. The report
will provide a clear picture to ensure that New York's most vulnerable
citizens are able to receive the quality of care they need to remain at
home and avoid institutional care.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed one year after such effective date.