NY Extends State Health Program to Private Employers

July 10, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has approved legislation that would expand the state's Family Health Plus insurance program, once only available to low-income residents who lacked coverage, to include private employers and Taft-Hartley funds.

According to a Business Insurance report, employersthat opt into the program will be required to pay 70% of the cost of their employees’ individual and/or dependent coverage and employees will be required to pay the balance.

This legislation went into effect July 1 and is expected to cost state taxpayers about $106 million to subsidize enrollees’ premiums.

The plan currently has 513,000 New York residents enrolled.

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