Healthy NY program to provide
insurance for child care workers

A new $2 million initiative for funding to help child care providers offer health insurance to their employees was announced by Gov. George Pataki. This initiative will help child care providers across the state recruit and retain quality staff by offering participation in New York State's Healthy NY program.

"We are proud of our commitment to providing quality health care for New Yorkers and offering quality, safe, affordable child care for our working families," Pataki said. "This new initiative will allow child care providers to better recruit and retain qualified employees by offering an option for comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage for themselves and their families."

The initiative will pay a portion of both the employer and employee share of the insurance benefit to participating health insurance carriers selected by employers. The initiative will offer $50 per month per individual and $100 per month for two-adult or family premiums. It is estimated that approximately 2,100 employees in the child care industry will participate.

Among the benefits that promote stability of employment in small businesses is the availability of health insurance for employees. A recent survey of regulated child care providers in New York state found that child care programs are not always financially able to provide health insurance as a benefit to their employees and families.

This program will be available statewide.

To be eligible for this program, child care providers must: be regulated by New York State with no current enforcement actions pending; not currently offer health insurance or contribute less than $50 monthly per employee; not offer comprehensive coverage; have at least 30% of their employees with salaries below $32,000; and have 50 or fewer employees.

Enrollment materials for this program will be available in the near future. For information on Healthy NY visit the website at www.healthyny.com or call toll-free at the Healthy Y hotline -- 1-866-HEALTHY NY (1-866-432-5849). For information on this particular program, call 1-800-342-3736 or (518) 474-9615.