New York legislation · 2025-2026 General Assembly
New York A4639: Protects the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of Medicare-eligible retirees of public employers
Status: Introduced, April 27, 2026
Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.
What the bill says
An act in relation to protecting the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of retirees of Medicare-eligible public employers.
From the introduced text, February 4, 2025:
AN ACT in relation to protecting the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of retirees of Medicare-eligible public employers THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. This act shall be known as the "Health Equity for Retirees Act" or "(HERA)". § 2. 1. On and after the effective date of this act, a public employer shall not diminish the health insurance benefits provided to retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and their dependents by such public employer as of December 31, 2021. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to impair the ability of any employee organization to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for their employee members. 2. For the purposes of this act: (a) "diminish" shall mean any change in health care offered that could potentially make it harder for retirees residing anywhere within the United States, including its territories and possessions, to access their health care than before such change was made. These changes shall include, but are not limited to, increasing the cost of such health care (including with respect to premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and …
Sponsors
- Amato, Stacey Pheffer (I, 23) · primary sponsor
- Tony Simone (D, 75)
- Jo Simon (D, 52)
- Nily Rozic (D, 25)
- Rebecca Seawright (D, 76)
- Steve Stern (D, 10)
- Sam Berger (D, 27)
- Billy Jones (D, 115)
- David Weprin (D, 24)
- Didi Barrett (D, 106)
- Deborah Glick (D, 66)
- Karen McMahon (D, 146)
Latest actions
- : ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
- : REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
- : REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
Subjects: Retirement
Common questions
- What is A4639?
- A4639 is a bill in the New York Legislature (2025-2026 General Assembly): Protects the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of Medicare-eligible retirees of public employers.
- What does A4639 do?
- In its own words: An act in relation to protecting the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of retirees of Medicare-eligible public employers.
- What is the status of A4639?
- Introduced as of April 27, 2026. Latest action: ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN (April 27, 2026).
- Who sponsored A4639?
- Amato, Stacey Pheffer (I, 23), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A4639?
- On the New York Legislature website: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4639
Source: official New York record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.