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Care for the Uninsured

Many uninsured New Yorkers are actually eligible for Medicaid or a related public health insurance program.  Be sure to check the resources mentioned under that link to see if the client you are helping may be able to access coverage.  For those who do not qualify for any public health insurance, the most important program for advocates to use in helping them access health care services is likely the charity care program, also known as the hospital financial assistance program.   

On this page you will find articles and resources authored by the Empire Justice Center on charity care.  We also encourage you to visit  NYHealthAccess, a relatively new website co-sponsored by Empire Justice, the Legal Aid Society of New York City, and Selfhelp, Inc.  NYHealthAccess will provide you with a comprehensive listing of advocacy material on charity care, as well as information on community health centers and clinics that offer care to the uninsured at no cost or on a sliding scale.

 

 

ARTICLES

NYS Hospital Financial Assistance Law
Hospitals Must Provide Charity Care Assistance Program
Charity care refers to free or low cost care provided by hospitals to uninsured or underinsured patients. New York State has provided significant state funding to hospitals for charity care since 1983, but it wasn't until 2007 that hospitals were actually required to provide charity care to uninsured patients under the Hospital Financial Assistance Law. Read More

Resources for Uninsured and Underinsured
Effective January 1, 2007, all general hospitals must establish written policies and procedures for the provision of financial assistance to reduce the hospital bills of low income New Yorkers who are uninsured or underinsured. Read More

More Articles >>

 

 

IN THE NEWS

Significant Victories in State Budget to Benefit Struggling New Yorkers
After an initial review of the budget agreement struck by the Governor and Legislative leaders this week, the Empire Justice Center declared victory on several important initiatives that will have a positive impact on New Yorkers who are struggling financially. Read More


POLICY ADVOCACY

Comments to the US Department of Health on Charity Care
Empire Justice and the Commission on the Public's Health System submit joint comments on the federal regulations governing the distribution of Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments. Read More


 

 

PUBLICATIONS

Holes in the Safety Net: Access to Charity Care on Long Island
Our latest report finds that almost one-half of the 23 hospitals surveyed failed to provide family members of seriously ill, uninsured patients with the information they needed to get financial assistance in advance of medical emergencies. Read More

The Affordable Care Act: Impact on New York State
An overview of the Affordable Care Act's approach to reforming the health care system. Read More

More Publications >>