AARP NY Applauds Assembly for Protecting Vulnerable Homeowners, Consumers

Praises Final Passage of Bills to Pause Foreclosures & Protect Consumers from Medical Debt & Unfair Utility Rate Hikes

ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on final legislative passage of key bills by the New York State Assembly:

“AARP New York thanks the Assembly for giving final legislative passage to three key bills to protect vulnerable homeowners and consumers.

“AARP New York applauds the Assembly and the sponsor, Assembly Member Amy Paulin, for giving final legislative passage to a bill (A6275) to crack down on unfair medical debt collection.

“Prohibiting medical providers from sending medical debt to credit reporting agencies would especially help older New Yorkers, whose income often decreases while their medical expenses increase – and whose numbers are growing fast. Plus, older Black and Hispanic/Latino families face much higher debt burdens than older white families.

“The bill would also remove obstacles to New Yorkers’ ability to buy homes, get loans or save for retirement.

“No one should risk putting their financial future in jeopardy by getting the medical care they need.

“We thank the Senate and Senator Gustavo Rivera for passing their version of the bill earlier this year – especially since medical debt is likely to become an even greater problem as our population rapidly ages.

“AARP New York also applauds the Assembly and bill sponsor Assembly Member Pamela Hunter for acting to protect homeowners at risk of losing their homes for unpaid property taxes by passing legislation (A7763) to pause certain foreclosures.

“Sections of New York’s law are incompatible with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on this issue, and this bill would protect at-risk homeowners until state law is updated.”

“We thank the Senate sponsor of the bill, Senator Kevin Thomas, for helping get the measure passed in his house earlier this year.”

“Additionally, legislation championed by Senator Kevin Parker and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages (S405/A7165) would give equal footing to everyday New Yorkers when their energy company goes before state regulators seeking to increase their rates.

“New Yorkers dealing with rising household energy costs deserve to have their concerns heard at the negotiating table, and this bill would ensure those concerns are addressed when utilities want to boost natural gas and electric rates.

“AARP New York urges Governor Kathy Hochul to sign all of these bills into law.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

Follow us on Twitter:  @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/españo or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

###