Representative Josh Riley has introduced legislation to restore federal funding for New York’s Essential Plan, according to an October 6 announcement from his office. The proposal is called the Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act.
Riley’s office says nearly 15,000 people in the 19th Congressional District are among more than 450,000 New Yorkers affected by funding cuts. Those figures are the office’s stated estimates of the measure’s potential reach.
The office describes the Essential Plan as an affordable health-coverage program for working families. It says reductions under H.R. 1 have left affected residents facing more expensive private insurance or going without coverage.
Riley says the loss of support also puts pressure on rural hospitals. His announcement presents the new bill as part of a broader effort to support health coverage and rural health services in Upstate New York.
The release links the text of the proposed legislation. It also lists earlier measures Riley supported, including proposals concerning rural-hospital reimbursement and emergency stabilization funding.
The Restoring Essential Plan Coverage Act is a legislative proposal. The announcement does not establish that it has passed Congress or become law, and the proposed restoration of funding should not be treated as a coverage change already in effect.
