Kathleen Beth Meerwarth

This document outlines the New York State Office for Aging's four-year plan, a requirement for federal funding. The plan aims to help older adults remain independent for as long as possible and support their caregivers. It focuses on key themes including Older Americans Act core programs, COVID-19 recovery efforts, advancing equity and access for all populations, expanding home and community-based services, and supporting caregivers. The plan incorporates data from a statewide needs assessment and seeks to shift from a reactive care system to a preventive one, adapting to demographic changes and fostering age-friendly communities.

This Strategic Plan outlines the New York State Department of Financial Services' initiatives to foster health equity and build a fairer, more accessible healthcare system for all New Yorkers, particularly those historically underserved. Key initiatives include eliminating out-of-pocket costs for insulin, requiring demographic data from health insurers, expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder care, and launching a platform for consumer complaints regarding drug pricing. The plan also focuses on establishing principles for ethical AI use in underwriting, strengthening pharmacy benefit manager regulations, returning over $700 million to consumers, monitoring prescription drug prices, and expanding Paid Family Leave and dental coverage benefits.

This report summarizes the State Charter Advisory Board meetings held during the calendar year 2025, submitted in January 2026. The key discussions across the three meetings included operational stress testing via a published White Paper, DFS technology transformation including the launch of the DFS Connect portal, updates on examiner training curriculum redesign, amendments to Part 500 cybersecurity regulation, the NYS Loan Guarantee Program presented by Empire State Development, the new policy on consent orders, consumer exams feedback, and discussions regarding tokenized deposits in a consortium framework.

Governor Kathy Hochul's proposals outline a comprehensive strategy to enhance support and resources for New York's older adults. The plan includes increased investments in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC), a $35 million allocation for non-medical in-home services, the launch of the CAPABLE program to support aging in place, improved access to end-of-life care (hospice and palliative care), and the creation of a 'one-stop-shop' to connect seniors with critical benefits. Additionally, the strategy focuses on expanding efforts to protect older adults from abuse. The overall vision is to enable older New Yorkers to age with independence, dignity, and access to necessary resources within their communities as part of her 2026 State of the State initiatives.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a series of initiatives to support and expand resources for New York State's senior population, enabling them to age independently in their communities. Key proposals include doubling investment in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs), renewing a $35 million investment in non-medical in-home services, and launching the CAPABLE program to provide home-based support like nursing and occupational therapy. Further initiatives focus on enhancing access to hospice and palliative care through educational campaigns, establishing a 'one-stop shop' to connect seniors with available benefits and services, and expanding efforts to prevent elder abuse through online educational modules.