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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 09, 2026 | The Indian Eye 37

NYC Health Department Mobilizes

Support For New Yorkers Impacted By

New Federal Medicaid Requirements

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY

he New York City Health Department is mo-
bilizing support for New Yorkers at risk of
Tlosing health coverage ahead of new federal
work requirements and other changes to Medicaid
beginning in January 2027.
Of the nearly 3.6 million Medicaid enrollees in
New York City, the Health Department estimates
up to 900,000 enrollees may be at risk of termi-
nation due to the new requirements. In order to
maintain or newly enroll in coverage, individuals
ages 19 to 64 will be required to provide docu-
mentation that they are working, participating in a
work training program, volunteering, or attending
school at least 80 hours per month, or that their
household earns at least $580 per month.
Many may qualify for exemption from these
requirements. However, affected New Yorkers will
include veterans, students, people with disabilities,
and many more who will be at risk of losing cov- This whole-of-government approach, in col- couraging New Yorkers to keep themselves and
erage if they don’t keep up with new burdensome laboration with New York State, City Hall, NYC their family healthy by signing up for low- to no-
paperwork and procedures. Health + Hospitals, and more than a dozen City cost health insurance through the Health Depart-
The new requirements go into effect on Jan-
uary 1, 2027, for new Medicaid applicants, and agencies and offices will ensure community part- ment’s free enrollment services. In partnership
with New York State, the Health Department
ners are equipped with the knowledge and tools
March 1, 2027, for individuals already on Medicaid they need to keep New Yorkers enrolled. More continues to educate New Yorkers about the new
and seeking to renew their coverage. efforts are underway and will be ramping up as work requirements and will launch another public
In addition, today the federal government
stopped providing funding for Medicaid coverage the changes get closer to taking effect, including awareness campaign this fall to ensure that New
Yorkers are aware of the changes that are coming
targeted individual outreach to help educate and
of refugees, asylees (people who fled their country connect individuals to support. for the Medicaid enrollees in their lives and how to
for safety) without green cards, and certain other “Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are help them stay enrolled.
legally present immigrants. These individuals will under threat of losing Medicaid coverage due to
remain insured as a result of protections under New unnecessary and burdensome federal require- Empowering Providers and Equipping Partners
York State law, with the costs to be fully borne by ments — but we are determined to do everything in In July, the Health Department contacted over
the state without any federal contribution. Howev- our power to ensure they stay covered and get the 35,000 healthcare providers, offering guidance on
er, health plans may change as a result. If the chang- care they need,” said NYC Health Commissioner how to discuss the changes with their patients who
es affect your coverage, the state will contact you. Dr. Alister F. Martin. “We are working closely with have Medicaid. Healthcare professionals have also
New York State of Health sent notification been invited to join information sessions tailored
letters to New Yorkers affected by the new work medical providers, community organizations, and to help them assist their patients.
government partners to provide resources, educa-
requirements. Anyone on Medicaid is encouraged tion, and direct support to those impacted. No one In September, the Health Department issued
to keep their contact information up to date with should lose their health insurance because of need- guidance to over 60,000 partners from communi-
New York State. less red tape. We will not stop fighting to protect ty- and faith-based organizations, equipping them
In response to the federal changes, the Health with resources to help community members and
Department is taking a three-pronged approach to the health of our city.” congregants stay enrolled in Medicaid. The Health
keep New Yorkers covered: empowering provid- Condemning Attacks on Public Health Insurance Department has launched a monthly webinar se-
ers, equipping community partners, and directly In May, the New York City Board of Health ries to make sure partners have a standing place
educating New Yorkers and connecting them to issued a resolution condemning the federal at- to bring their questions and get real support. More
support. tacks on public health insurance and directing the than 300 people attended the first session, repre-
The Health Department is coordinating ef- Health Department to develop a public education senting a broad range of community- and faith-
forts across City government and a wide range of campaign in collaboration with other City agen- based organizations and healthcare providers.
partners, including healthcare providers and com- cies, community organizations, and health provid- In over 50 training sessions and ongoing engage-
munity- and faith-based organizations, to prepare ers to assist New Yorkers at risk of losing Medicaid. ments, the Health Department has shared infor-
and support Medicaid enrollees as they navigate That same day, the Health Department mation and coordinated resources with City and
the new requirements. launched a new public awareness campaign en- community partners.

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