Albany Update: Agents Fight Single Payer, Lead Paint Exclusion Ban, Insurance Settlement Practices Bills

​Legislative session is scheduled to adjourn next Thursday, with only four session days remaining. However, four days is an eternity in Albany, and anything can happen. Bills can be introduced and passed in a matter of only hours. This is the most important and tense time at the Capitol, and the time when your team in Albany fights hardest for you!This week, Big I NY kicked off Single Payer Action Week, recruiting dozens of agents to participate in meetings with key Senators who are swing votes on the bill. Read the recap here.Our legislation to make the auto photo inspection optional has advanced to the Assembly…

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NY State of Health Offering Open Enrollment, Enhanced Financial Help

​​New Yorkers who are without health insurance can take advantage of a new enrollment period and expanded financial assistance, according to New York State of Health (NYSOH). NYSOH is the state's health insurance marketplace established under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). This may enable you to assist people who contact you for individual health insurance.The expanded financial assistance is a feature of the American Rescue Plan, which the president signed into law on March 11. The  ACA has always provided for premium tax credits for individuals and households with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty line. The new law increased the size of the tax credits…

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Single Payer Action Week: Agents Fight Against Government Takeover of Healthcare

 This week, Big I NY members met with several key state senators to push back on the New York Health Act, which would eliminate private health insurance in favor of a government-run system. The numbers for such a plan are staggering: more than 160,000 jobs eliminated, including 50,000 in the insurance industry; $253 billion in new taxes on employers and workers; business tax increases of over 2,000%.Big I NY identified half a dozen key “swing votes" in the Senate, and targeted these lawmakers for meetings during Single Payer Action Week. This week's meetings were productive, with Big I NY members urging senators to consider the…

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