Bill to Fund Health Insurance for NYRA Trainers Passes

The New York legislature May 12 gave final approval to a plan to use purse money derived from video lottery terminal casino revenues to fund a health insurance program for trainers at New York Racing Association tracks.

Proponents, led by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, say the plan will be a boost for dozens of trainers whose less-than-stellar health insurance coverage was especially revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, they say it will boost starts at NYRA tracks by luring trainers from other circuits to come to New York.

"It's going to help our rank-and-file, loyal New York trainers,'' Joseph Appelbaum, NYTHA president, said of the trainers who have some 50-100 or so starts year-round in the state.

The state Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, a day after the Assembly OK'd it. The sponsors are Democrats Sen. Joseph Addabbo of Queens and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow of Westchester County, who both head the house's racing and wagering committees. The bill passed the two houses unanimously. NYRA supports the bill.

The bill affects only NYRA trainers.

It provides that up to 3% of purse account funds—somewhere under about $1 million annually, Appelbaum said—to fund a health insurance program for trainers who have at least 43 NYRA starts annually and with 60% of their annual starts at a NYRA track. It is modeled on a health insurance program for NYRA jockeys.

Appelbaum projects about 60 trainers or more could qualify in the program's first year if the bill is signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The NYTHA and NYRA would also need to OK a memorandum of understanding for the program to begin if the legislation becomes a law.

Appelbaum believes it will both encourage NYRA trainers who don't meet the legislation's health insurance coverage threshold to seek more starts and encourage trainers from other circuits to race more at NYRA tracks.

The program would offer comprehensive health insurance with options to purchase additional coverage. 

"We are hopeful the governor will sign it in due course,'' Appelbaum said. He said it will help trainers with small-to-mid-size operations, add starts, and bring more revenue to the racing industry and state. He estimated it could bring an additional 350 starts per year at NYRA tracks, or about $35 million in added handle.

"This program does good for people and is good for business at the same time … The program will pay for itself,'' he said.

The measure is not aimed at the bigger trainer operations, but the trainers who run year-round at NYRA and have some eight to 20 stalls.

"That's the kind of group we're trying to buff up and make it a little easier for them to do business and attract owners, and maybe recruit a couple people from other circuits to participate here more,'' Appelbaum said.

"If enacted, this legislation will provide an incentive for Thoroughbred trainers to keep their business operations in New York State. It will also help additional individuals receive health insurance,'' states a bill memo by Addabbo and Pretlow.