A New Vision for One Million New Yorkers

by M.C. Millman

The City Council passed legislation on Thursday to provide free eye exams and glasses to low-income New Yorkers earning up to $35,000 a year or $70,000 a year for a family of four. 

The bill, expected to benefit nearly one million New Yorker City residents, was introduced by Councilmember Justin Brannan. 

If passed, the new legislation will make New York City the first state to pay for both an eye exam and glasses.

The program will go through a city-appointed agency that will provide eye exams. Glasses up to a certain price point would then be made available at no charge if needed. Funding would come from taxes, but Brannan suggested that a third-party group might choose to partner with the city to provide free glasses.

The legislation will now go before Mayor Eric Adams, who is expected to sign it into law, which will take effect in early December.