NEW YORK, CMC—Caribbean and other immigrant New Yorkers are celebrating the passage of the Coverage for All legislation, which will expand health coverage for low-income New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status.
“The State Senate vote to expand health insurance is crucial in addressing the harmful health care inequalities that persistently exclude low-income immigrant New Yorkers from accessing the health coverage and care they deserve,” Becca Telzak, deputy director of Make the Road New York (MRNY), told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).
MRNY operates five community centers in New York.
“For far too long, people have given up going to the doctor because of their immigration status and fear of high medical costs–risking their health and their lives,” Telzak said, adding, “We applaud the in the (New York State) Senate Senate’s leadership in passing the Coverage for All legislation a second year in a row.
“This vote takes us a step closer to expanding health coverage to approximately 150,000 low-income immigrant New Yorkers while simultaneously creating substantial savings and economic benefits for the state.
“This common-sense bill is a no-cost opportunity that will invest in the health of our communities by allowing low-income New Yorkers access to quality and affordable health care coverage, regardless of immigration status,” Telzak said, adding that, over the last few years, support for the Coverage for All legislation has broadened.
She said healthcare leaders, unions, health plans, providers, Congressional elected officials, and New Yorkers across the state support the passage of “this life-saving bill.
“We are grateful for our Senate lead sponsor, Senator Rivera, and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for today’s successful vote and continuous support to ensure everyone has access to the health coverage we deserve,” Telzak said.
“With less than a month away before the end of the legislative session, all eyes are now on the State Assembly. We urge Speaker (Carl) Heastie to seize the moment and swiftly follow the Senate’s example by putting up the Coverage for All bill for a vote on the floor and champion a healthier New York for all.”
Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz, alongside dozens of healthcare leaders and providers, health plans, immigrant patients, and unions, gathered over the weekend to celebrate the passage of the Coverage for All bill in the State Senate.
With large banners and signs, groups—including Make the Road New York, Montefiore, 1199SEIU, Community Service Society, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, Union Community Health Center, Northwest Bronx Community, and Clergy Coalition—shared the importance of health coverage, which could save the lives of thousands of low-income New Yorkers across the state.
“I am proud that the New York State Senate passed my Coverage for All bill again yesterday. This bill is critical to ensure all New Yorkers have access to quality and affordable healthcare, regardless of their immigration status, while saving our state potentially hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Rivera, chair of the Senate Health Committee and bill sponsor.
“Unfortunately, this proposal was excluded from this year’s budget, but we have another opportunity before the session ends to pass this law and seek approval for the 1332 federal waiver.
“I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Conference and the coalition of advocates who continue to fight endlessly for this bill. I urge my Assembly colleagues to demonstrate the courage to pass this meaningful legislation this session.”
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