Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

SENATOR RIVERA'S CDPAP ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND 21 OTHER BILLS PASS THIS WEEK'S HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETING

This week, Senator Rivera held the eighth Health Committee meeting of the year, where 22 bills, including 9 of his own, were passed. Senator Rivera was especially proud that his bill S.1189, also known as the CDPAP Accountability Act, was among the bills that passed.

Given the utter failure of the single FI transition, the CDPAP Accountability Act seeks to return stability to an essential program that is reeling from a chaotic transition that left patients without care and workers without a paycheck. This bill will balance the program's integrity by weeding out bad actors, access to services, provide opportunities to businesses throughout the State that have a proven track record of delivering quality services, and restore consistency in fiscal intermediary operations

To watch Senator Rivera's speech at the Health Committee meeting about the CDPAP Accountability Act, click here.

This week, three bills sponsored by Senator Rivera passed the floor of the New York State Senate: 

• S.1226: The Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act: This bill will require community notification and stakeholder engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

• S.1618: The New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act: This bill will direct the Commissioner of Health to enter into partnerships to increase competition, lower prices, and address shortages in the market, to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for all.

• S.355: Program Eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare: This bill will allows individuals who have comparable coverage to a Medicare part D plan to also be eligible for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program if otherwise qualify.

"I am especially proud that the Local Input in Community Healthcare Act has once again passed after the Governor vetoed it last year. We must address gaps in the state’s review process for proposed hospital and critical care unit closures and ensure that communities have a voice in decisions affecting their access to local hospital care," said Senator Rivera.

Watch Senator Rivera's speech on the floor about his LICH Act here.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS THE EMS MEMORIAL CEREMONY HOSTED BY THE NY STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

This week, Senator Rivera participated in the New York State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Memorial, a solemn event held at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. This event, part of National EMS Week, holds great significance as it honors the brave EMS personnel, both volunteer and career staff, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the people of New York.

The memorial also honors those who responded to the World Trade Center attacks after September 11, 2001, including the rescue operations and the months-long recovery efforts that followed.

Senator Rivera paid his respects to the family of Captain Robert R. De Leon, Jr., a constituent of District 33 in The Bronx. Captain De Leon dedicated 36 years of service to the City of New York, with a significant portion of his career spent serving the people of The Bronx, where he played a vital role in ensuring their protection and care.

His work went beyond just responding to emergencies. He helped shape and maintain the infrastructure that supported the city's emergency medical care system, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Additionally, Captain De Leon responded to the devastation at the World Trade Center, where he was an integral part of the heroic rescue and recovery efforts.

This week, Senator Rivera responded to misinformation going around about his groundbreaking bill, the New York Health Act (NYHA), through a video posted in his social media accounts.

"To my labor brothers and sisters: NYHA would improve your healthcare (and your leverage in bargaining), not take it away. Let’s work together to make it happen," said Senator Rivera.

To watch the video, click here.

Follow the New York Health Campaign here and join us in the fight for guaranteed healthcare!

On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the courageous Americans who gave their lives in service to our country. To all our fallen heroes - your sacrifice and that of your families will not be forgotten.

SENATOR RIVERA TOURS P.S.246 IN FORDHAM!

Today, Senator Rivera toured P.S. 246 located in the Fordham section of his district. Joined by Principal Andrea Johnson, Senator Rivera had the opportunity to spend a few special moments with students and teachers on Career Day.

Thank you to Principal Johnson for the invitation, and to all the staff and students for the warm welcome!

In case you missed it, last week Senator Rivera hosted a Homeownership 101 Virtual Training in partnership with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

During the virtual training, participants learned about a variety of topics including the differences between co-ops, condos, and homes; the processes involved in buying and selling these types of properties; the government resources available to those homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure or currently in foreclosure proceedings, and so much more!

View a replay of this webinar here and click here to download the presentation

UPDATE FROM THE MTA AND NEW YORK CITY DOT: MOVING BUSES FASTER

JustFix, in partnership with the Housing Justice for All coalition, has launched Good Cause NYC a powerful new tool designed to help NYC tenants take advantage of their new protections. 

By analyzing public data from multiple sources, the tool helps cut through the confusion, making it easier for tenants to learn if they’re covered to fight back against unjust rent hikes and eviction.

With this new tool they're putting knowledge and power back in the hands of tenants.

How does Good Cause NYC help?

• Eligibility Screener: Enter your address and answer a few short questions to find out if you are covered.

• Your Rights: No matter what result you get, they offer next steps to learn about the protections you have and how to assert your rights.

• Rent Increase Calculator: If you know you’re covered by Good Cause, you can use their new rent increase calculator to learn if your rent hike is considered “unreasonable” by the law.

Visit Good Cause NYC here for more information.