State Senator Gustavo Rivera released the following statement after his Coverage for All bill (S2237A/A3020A) passed the State Senate for the second consecutive year:
“I am proud that the New York State Senate passed my Coverage for All bill once again. I am deeply grateful to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her continuous leadership on this issue and this legislation, which will make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, while saving our state potentially hundreds of millions of dollars. I am also grateful to Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas for her continued partnership to ensure this landmark bill moves through the Assembly.
“It is unfortunate that this proposal was excluded from this year’s budget, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in savings off the table. We have another opportunity before session ends to pass this law and seek approval with a 1332 waiver, which the federal government explicitly told us last year we could use for this purpose. New York could have saved hundreds of millions by offering health coverage to New Yorkers depending on emergency Medicaid for care rather than having access to less costly, preventive health services. The administration’s decision not to seek federal funds to cover this population is devastating for immigrant New Yorkers and I am hopeful that after successfully expanding basic coverage to DREAMers, they will agree that Coverage for All is a cost-effective solution to cover all New Yorkers.
“I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate Democratic Conference for appreciating the urgency of re-approving this common sense public health legislation and the gains that will be generated for our healthcare system and New Yorkers. I also want to thank the incredible coalition of advocates and New Yorkers who continue to fight endlessly to make this a reality. I urge my Assembly colleagues to demonstrate the courage required to pass this momentous legislation.”
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