Sunday, October 27, 2024

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

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Senator Rivera joined Senator Persaud, Senator Brisport, and various state agencies for a roundtable to discuss the increasingly shrinking cost of living adjustment (COLA), both in percentage and in who is eligible in New York State. In 2018, during the final year that Republicans controlled the State Senate, the Department of Health COLA was permanently eliminated. Even as the Democrats regained the majority, the need for COLA has not been remedied. When the state does not adjust for inflation with a cost of living adjustment, we effectively cut these programs. Senator Rivera discussed alternative revenue streams that would remedy this issue instead of de-facto cuts, namely his Capital Gains Tax Bill (S2162). According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, this tax would raise over 12 billion annually and reduce income inequality.

Senator Rivera attended Fiscal Policy Institute's (FPI) policy conference, where he joined Elisabeth Benjamin from Community Service Society and Lara Kassel from Medicaid Matters on "The Future of New York's Medicaid." Senator Rivera discussed why he views healthcare is a human right and why it is essential for New York to pass the New York Health Act (S7590), which will guarantee care for all residents and full-time employees of New York through a single-payer health plan with the state as the payer.

This week, Senator Rivera presented a long-awaited State Senate Empire Award to the Bronx Optical Center and their CEO, Jessica Betancourt. The Bronx Optical Center was established in 2019 and has become a staple of the community, providing amazing customer service and patient care to its customers for the last five years. Ms. Betancourt is also the co-founder and president of the Burnside Jerome Tremont Merchant Association, and has partnered with a wide variety of organizations to give back to the community with back-to-school drives and free eye care appointments. Senator Rivera believes that when small and local businesses thrive, so does our community. Congratulations to both the Bronx Optical Center and Jessica Betancourt!

This week, Senator Rivera attended both Community Board 7 and the 52nd Precinct Council's October meetings. Community Board 7 and the 52nd Precinct cover Bedford Park, Fordham, Jerome, Kingsbridge Heights, Moshulu Parkway, and Norwood. Senator Rivera discussed his agenda for the 2025 session, particularly his Safer Consumption Services Act (S399A), which will authorize the opening of Overdose Prevention Centers statewide, establishing a program that has proven to save thousands of lives while making the neighborhood safer by reducing public drug use and syringe litter.

Senator Rivera received his annual Flu Shot and COVID-19 Booster as part of his “Get Your Shots! Meet and Greet” at Mt. Carmel Pharmacy in Belmont. The Senator’s longtime pharmacist, Roger Paganelli, administered the vaccinations


During the event, Senator Rivera met with neighbors and encouraged them to get their Flu, COVID and RSV vaccines for people who meet eligibility. You can get your annual vaccines administered at community pharmacies like Mt. Carmel Pharmacy, which offers personalized services to their customers since 1964.


Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself from potentially fatal illnesses and to help protect neighbors who may be more vulnerable to them. New Yorkers 18 and under with or without insurance are eligible for flu vaccines and COVID-19 boosters at no cost through the NYC Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Adults over the age of 18 covered by Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance can be vaccinated at no cost. Adults over the age of 75 and those aged 60-74 with chronic conditions are eligible for the RSV vaccination and should consult their doctor for more information and check with their insurance if they cover the RSV vaccine at no cost. 

For more information about getting vaccines at no cost or other community health services, neighbors can call Senator Rivera's district office at 718-933-2034.

This week, Senator Rivera attended Brighter Bites programming at PS 236x, where they distributed fresh produce to children and families. Senator Rivera also took the opportunity to tour the school and discussed potential capital funding. Thank you to the entire Brighter Bites team for inviting the Senator to this distribution.

 

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