Community Service Society of New York

Many individuals and families find themselves with too few health care options, earning income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid coverage but too low to afford private health insurance.

Federal health reform gives every state the option to establish a Basic Health Plan (BHP)—a public coverage program for individuals with incomes just above the Medicaid income cut-off and less than 200% of the Federal poverty level. If New York State chooses to implement a BHP, eligible individuals would receive their insurance coverage through a BHP instead of receiving subsidies to purchase private coverage through the new health insurance exchange. However, careful analysis was needed to help the State fully understand the implications of creating a BHP and to make informed decisions. In September 2010, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) awarded the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) a grant to conduct this analysis along with two partners, Gorman Actuarial and Manatt Health Solutions.

Specific project activities include conducting a financial analysis of a BHP for New York; reviewing its findings; and educating key stakeholders. CSS will also evaluate forthcoming Federal BHP guidance, along with the statute and regulatory guidance of Washington State’s Basic Health Plan, a model program for other BHPs.

Read the grant report.