A 3605 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to establishing the expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel

This bill establishes the "expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage panel" within New York's executive department to broaden access to prescription drug coverage. The panel, composed of state agency leaders (including health, aging, and budget officials), will set cost-sharing rules, develop outreach programs for eligible residents, and report annually on enrollment and program costs. It directly affects elderly and low-income New York residents by expanding access to state and federal prescription drug benefits. The panel will operate without member compensation, focusing on improving coverage efficiency and informing applicants about available benefits.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 29, 2025 Last action Jun 1, 2026

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What changed between versions

A3605 → A3605A · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends the New York Elder Law to update the title of the pharmaceutical insurance program and reorganize its definitions. It explicitly defines 'income' for eligibility purposes to include only household gross income while excluding certain Social Security increases, and clarifies that 'Medicare part D excluded drug classes' now includes smoking cessation agents and medical marijuana. The bill also adds a new section establishing the program's operational framework.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by clarifying that smoking cessation agents and medical marijuana are considered 'excluded drug classes' under federal Medicare Part D rules, and by refining how household income is calculated for program eligibility.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'income' was updated to specify that it refers to 'household gross income' as defined in the real property tax circuit breaker credit program, with specific inclusions and exclusions for spouses and Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.

The definition of 'Medicare part D excluded drug classes' was expanded to explicitly include smoking cessation agents and medical marijuana dispensed in New York.

TECHNICAL

The bill's short title was changed from 'program for [elderly] expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage' to 'program for [elderly] expanded pharmaceutical insurance coverage' (removing the word 'elderly' from the brackets) and the bill number was updated to reflect its amended status.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 3605A

lower

Jun 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO AGING

lower

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO AGING

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO AGING

lower

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors