NY Health Care for All | Coverage & Access
- new Yorkers seeking hospital care may find financial relief as amendments to the state's Hospital Financial Assistance Law (HFAL) took effect last month.
- These programs offer affordable care on a sliding scale, based on household income, to uninsured and underinsured patients.
- These reforms aim to help more New Yorkers access affordable hospital care and reduce medical debt.
New York’s Hospital Financial Assistance Law (HFAL),also known as Manny’s Law,gets a boost,offering critically important financial relief to residents. The amendments make it easier for eligible patients to access aid by streamlining the request process. With rising medical costs, the changes, explained in detail within, will help those who are uninsured and underinsured. Primary_keyword NY health Care for All is designed to make hospital care more affordable, extending its reach to more New Yorkers.Secondary_keyword Medical debt relief is a key focus, preventing hospitals from selling patient debt to collection agencies and restricting lawsuits against low-income patients. News Directory 3 provides updates on these crucial healthcare changes. Curious about the specifics of the new eligibility guidelines? Discover what’s next…
New York Expands Hospital Financial Assistance Program to Ease Medical Debt
Updated may 31, 2025
new Yorkers seeking hospital care may find financial relief as amendments to the state’s Hospital Financial Assistance Law (HFAL) took effect last month. The HFAL, also known as Manny’s Law, aims to make it easier for eligible patients to access financial assistance programs. The original law was enacted in 2006 after Manny Lanza, 24, died when he was denied surgery because he lacked insurance.
These programs offer affordable care on a sliding scale, based on household income, to uninsured and underinsured patients. With rising hospital costs pushing many into medical debt, the updated HFAL seeks to streamline the submission process and broaden eligibility. A 2023 Urban institute report indicated that 740,000 New Yorkers carried medical debt, with nearly half owing $500 or more.
The changes to HFAL address medical debt by:
- Requiring all New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)-licensed hospitals to use a Uniform Hospital Financial Assistance form. Hospitals must also inform patients of financial assistance availability in writing during registration and at discharge. Immigration status is not considered for eligibility.
- Expanding patient eligibility for financial assistance for both uninsured and underinsured individuals.Underinsured is defined as patients whose out-of-pocket medical expenses,excluding premiums,exceed 10% of their income over the past year.Uninsured patients with household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will qualify for free or discounted care on a sliding scale.
- Allowing individuals to apply for hospital financial assistance at any time.
- Prohibiting hospitals from selling patient debt to third-party collection agencies.
- Barring hospitals from suing patients earning up to 400% FPL to collect unpaid medical bills and delaying lawsuits until 180 days after the initial bill.
- Requiring hospitals to report annual financial assistance application data to the DOH, including demographics and insurance status, to measure the program’s impact.
These reforms aim to help more New Yorkers access affordable hospital care and reduce medical debt. The HFAL, a landmark reform in 2006, has been significantly improved by these amendments, offering greater financial assistance and protection to patients.
What’s next
For assistance applying for hospital financial assistance, contact Community Health Advocates at 888-614-5400.