ALBANY, NEW YORK — On May 16, 2017 Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright helped pass the New York Health Act, legislation that would create a universal single-payer plan to provide health coverage to every New York resident (A.4738). “Each session, there is a bill that overwhelmingly resonates with our constituents,” Seawright said. “This year, that bill is the NY Health Act. Good quality and affordable health care is a basic necessity that should be available to all.”

The New York Health Act would establish a universal health care system within the state, known as New York Health, and expand coverage eligibility to include all residents, regardless of wealth, income, age or pre-existing condition. In addition, every enrollee would have access to the full range of doctors and service providers offered. The plan would provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, primary and preventive care, maternity care, prescription drug costs, laboratory testing, rehabilitative care and dental, vision and hearing care. Providers would be full paid by New York Health with no co-pays or deductibles to patients. The system would be publicly funded based on a shared 80/20 employer/employee payroll tax contribution. This eliminates the regressive tax of premiums, co-pays, and deductables. Out-of state health care would also be covered during travel or if there is a clinical reason to receive care outside the state.

Additionally, state funding would be combined with federal funds that are currently received for Medicare, Medicaid and Child Health Plus to create the New York Health Trust Fund. The state would also seek federal waivers that will allow New York to completely fold those programs into New York Health. The local share of Medicaid funding would be ended, offering major property tax relief for New Yorkers.

“I commend Assembly Member Richard Gottfried for continuing the fight for a universal single payer health plan to provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers,” Seawright said. “I would also like to commend my constituents for using their voices to inform me of matters that are important to them. I urge them to continue to do so. It is vitally important that our families all have affordable, accessible health care.”