ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--BEFORE LAWMAKERS IN ALBANY LEFT FOR THE SUMMER, THEY PASSED A BILL THAT COULD HELP NEW YORKERS AFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS AND UTILITY BILLS.  

BUT IT STILL NEEDS APPROVAL FROM GOV. KATHY HOCHUL.
 
LAWMAKERS said THIS LEGISLATION, IF SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR SOME NEW YORKERS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME.
 
THE LEGISLATION WOULD DATA MATCH INDIVIDUALS ON A PRESCRIPTION DRUG AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM CALLED THE ELDERY Pharmaceutical INSURANCE COVERAGE PROGRAM OR EPIC TO THE STATE’S HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (heap).  
 
“That would be an enormous help to the elderly population,” said Emma Geneva Conway, a New York resident currently enrolled in EPIC program. 
 
GENEVA CONWAY ADDS THIS LEGISLATION WOULD ALSO MAKE IT EASIER AND LESS STRESSFUL FOR NEW YORKERS TRYING TO GET ENROLLED IN THE HEAP PROGRAM.  
 
 
“This means that they don’t have to call as I do to find out if you qualify, it's an automatic thing,” said Geneva Conway. 
 
SOME LAWMAKERS SAid THE MORE PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES, THE MORE STABILITY THERE IS IN THE STATE.  
 
“It really stands the opportunity to have a great beneficial impact to many of our elders in the state,” said Assembly Member John McDonald (D-Assembly District 108). 
 
MCDONALD SAid HE HASN’T HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR YET ABOUT THE LEGISLATION – BUT THAT HE IS HOPEFUL SHE WILL SIGN IT INTO LAW.