S 355 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provides for program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D

Summary

Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

May 2025

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S355 → S355A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add a new co-sponsor (Senator CLEARE) and update its legislative history to reflect committee reports. The main policy change clarifies that comparable drug plans must meet or exceed the actuarial value of Medicare Part D coverage, rather than simply being 'as generous as' it. Additionally, the bill now includes a new section requiring health plans to assess prescription drug coverage and adds a definition for CMS.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to the public health law requiring assessment of prescription drug coverage by health plans, in addition to the existing elder law amendments.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the standard for comparable drug plans from being 'as generous as' Medicare Part D to meeting or exceeding the 'actuarial value' of Medicare Part D coverage, as determined by CMS.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for health plans to assess prescription drug coverage under the public health law.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'CMS' (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) in the elder law.

Added new definitions for 'Insurer' and 'Health plan' in the public health law to clarify which entities are subject to the prescription drug coverage assessment requirements.

Floor votes · Senate May 20, 2025

How they voted

61–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 62

May 20, 2025

D Democratic40

40 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican22

21 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

May 20, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO AGING

lower

May 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

May 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 355A

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors