BILL NUMBER: S7129
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to veterans
health care
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill calls for the New York State Department of Veterans' Services,
in consultation with the Department of Health, to undertake a study
regarding veteran healthcare in New York State.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: amends the veterans' services law by adding a new section
18-a.
Section 2: sets the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Although New York State has the fifth largest population of veterans in
the nation, we spend significantly less per veteran than almost any
other state. A staggeringly small number of these veterans actually uses
health care services provided by the federal Department of Veterans'
Affairs, despite the fact that more than 50% of the veteran population
is over the age of 65 and thus significantly more likely to require
access to adequate health care services. According to the New York
Health Foundation, nearly three quarters of the veteran population has
served during wartime, and are roughly eight times more likely to
require mental health care services. Despite these statistics, New York
lacks an adequate system to seamlessly connect our courageous heroes
with the federal, state and local health care services they need.
This bill attempts to remedy these myriad problems by providing for a
state sponsored study to improve veterans' health care in New York. The
study would evaluate whether the needs of veterans and their families
are being met by existing healthcare and veterans' programs and provide
recommendations for steps that could be taken to increase access to
affordable, quality healthcare. The study will also consider the effects
of designating health care navigators who would assist veterans and
their families in obtaining vital information and access to needed
health care services, including mental health care and benefits provided
by federal agencies like the V.A. This bill would ensure that New York
is committed to helping our hometown heroes get access to the care that
they deserve after sacrificing so much in service to our nation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.