Summer is already here, and although temperatures still have not soared to uncomfortable degrees, many are starting to feel the strain already, especially those who suffer with some illnesses like asthma, which affects the way they breathe. Both extreme heat and extreme cold are a danger for this condition, and while we cannot do anything for the cold right now, Governor Kathy Hochul from New York may have the solution to combat the heat. She has announced a new plan that will give air conditioners to eligible residents in order to help them survive the summer heat better.
One of the main problems in the US regarding healthcare is that there is not enough preventative care going on, which exacerbates and aggravates certain conditions, making them worse in the long run. Since asthma is affected by the heat, if a person with this affliction tries to ride out a heat wave, let alone one after another like they happen in the summer, they will make their condition worse, and instead of just needing an inhaler, will end up going to the ER or Urgent Care to get a more intensive treatment.
This is why measures such as free air conditioning units are so important, as they may seem wasteful, but whatever money the ciy spends on purchasing these units or getting them donated is nothing compared to the many that thy will have to cover in hospital bills when the person in question gets even sicker and can also not afford to pay for it.
The New York air conditioning initiative
This is not a new program, which means that there are already a lot of happy recipients. It started in 2022 as a way to address the high summer temperatures affecting thousands of people with health conditions that worsen in the heat. This and other measures are a part of the Essential Cooling Plan, which is in turn part of the Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP), which is meant to solve the issue.
Governor Hochul said about the plan in an interview with WBNG “The Essential Plan Cooling Program is a vital resource that will help New Yorkers with chronic conditions like asthma stay safe and healthy in the face of extreme heat in an affordable way.”
Since this initiative is meant to help those suffering with asthma and who cannot afford air condoning, as otherwise they would just purchase it, o be eligible for this initiative, applicants must be part of the Essential Plan through NY State of Health and show evidence of chronic asthma. Qualifying symptoms may include shortness of breath, frequent coughing, chest tightness, or reliance on daily asthma treatments, but these must be accredited by a doctor.
Steps to Apply for an AC Unit in New York:
- Create an account with NYStateofHealth.
- Confirm enrollment in the Essential Plan.
- Provide medical proof of ongoing asthma.
- Ensure no prior receipt of a HEAP-provided cooling unit within the last five years.
- Submit the request using the same address listed with NYStateofHealth.
- Accept the program’s rules and requirements.
- Use the air conditioner efficiently to help lower energy costs.
Applications are processed through the official NYStateofHealth platform, where additional details are available. Once approved, recipients will be contacted, and installations will continue through August 31, 2025, so you still have some time to both apply and qualify. Having said that, the sooner you do it, the sooner you will get your air, and since July is coming soon and the heat will really ramp up, you might want to have this squared away before then.