S 6981 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to state aid for home health care to meet community need

This bill (S 6981) creates annual state funding to support certified home health agencies providing in-home care and hospice services. It directs funds to help agencies meet community needs, particularly for underserved areas, high-need populations, and specialized staffing (like home health nurses). The funding mechanism uses a formula based on population size (25 cents per capita per region or $200,000, whichever is greater) and requires agencies to apply for grants demonstrating service to underserved communities. Funds must be used for specific purposes: expanding access, supporting recruitment/retention of staff, and implementing technology to improve service delivery. The bill directly affects certified home health agencies eligible to apply for these grants.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 27, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

S6981 → S6981A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to update its title and committee assignment, and to restructure how home health care funding is allocated. The changes shift from a fixed per-capita funding formula to a more flexible approach where funds are distributed based on appropriations, allowing the state to adjust funding levels more responsively to needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on state aid for home health care, but the funding mechanism has been modified to allow greater flexibility in how funds are distributed to agencies.

FISCAL

Changed the funding formula from a fixed per-capita amount (25 cents per person or $200,000 minimum) to a flexible approach based on state appropriations, allowing the legislature to adjust funding levels annually.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific language about using funds for high-cost areas or intensive care needs, replacing it with broader language to sustain or increase home health care services for purposes specified in the bill.

PROCEDURAL

Added language indicating the bill was amended, committee was discharged, and the bill was reprinted and recommitted to the Committee on Health.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill numbering from S6981 to S6981-A and changed the committee assignment from just the Committee on Health to include committee discharge and recommitment language.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

Jun 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 6981A

upper

Jun 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors