NY A02244

Establishes an interagency task force on health literacy within the State University of New York to study health literacy and develop recommendations for improving it statewide.

SUNY Chancellor appoints a member of the SUNY school of public health faculty to chair the task force, with representatives from state hospitals, Department of Health, medical societies, pharmacy colleges, insurance industry, and other health organizations.

Task force shall examine residents' ability to access health services, identify barriers to care for those with low health literacy, and evaluate impacts of health care costs, treatment complexity, age, and cultural/linguistic diversity on health literacy.

Task force must submit a report to the legislature by December 15, 2024, including findings, proposed rules and regulations, and recommendations on plain language usage, simplified health insurance enrollment, provider resources, educational programs, and funding strategies.

Act takes effect December 1, 2023.