100PercentBronx: Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera!

SENATOR RIVERA IN THE COMMUNITY

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT AT TRACEY TOWERS!

Last week, Senator Rivera celebrated Black History Month at Tracey Towers. The celebration honored Black excellence and history and featured live music from the Morrisania Band Project who performed R&B and soul classics.

Thank you to Ms. Jean Hill for her support in making this event an annual celebration, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for stopping by, and to the Morrisania Band for such an amazing performance!

This week, Senator Rivera's office hosted a second Rent Freeze and Homeowner Tax Break Screening Day for constituents who were unable to attend last week’s event at Part of the Solution (POTS).

Thank you to the Department of Finance for assisting constituents with initial and renewal applications for SCRIE, DRIE, and SCHE! Need help applying for a rent freeze or a property tax break? Call our office to find out if you're eligible: 718-933-2034.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS THE LAUNCH OF WORTHY AT THE HARVARD CLUB NYC

This week, Senator Rivera attended the launch of Worthy Initiative, hosted by Paul Markovich, President and CEO of Ascendiun, the parent company of Blue Shield of California. During the event, Paul Markovich hosted Mark Cuban, founder and CEO of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC), for a discussion on the Worthy initiative and efforts to reform the healthcare system to be more patient centered.

During this event, Senator Rivera raised awareness on the New York Health Act (S.3425) and asked both Paul Markovich and Mark Cuban about their thoughts and plans to fight for comprehensive, high quality healthcare in New York and across the country.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS NYC DSA TAX THE RICH RALLY

Senator Rivera joined advocacy groups and colleagues at a rally outside City Hall calling on the Executive and Legislature to include statewide revenue proposals and the Fair Share Act in the state budget.

Senator Rivera strongly believes that we must pass proposals that make the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations pay their fair share. Senator Rivera is proud to sponsor S.1439, which would fairly tax long-term capital gains for the top 1%.

Senator Rivera is a proud supporter of the Invest in Our New York (IONY) campaign to make billionaires and corporations pay their fair share. Learn more about IONY's 2026 Revenue Agenda here.

SENATOR RIVERA IN ALBANY

This week, Senator Rivera joined the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS) at a press conference to shed light on the impact that federal Medicaid cuts and changes in Medicaid eligibility will have on community health centers (CHCs), especially since they are on the front line of improving health disparities.

During the press conference, Senator Rivera spoke about the need for reasonable investment in this year's budget and mentioned two of his bills that support community health centers, including S.3359 and the 340B Prescription Drug Anti-Discrimination Act.

Thank you to CHCANYS for their continued advocacy and commitment to providing essential health services to New Yorkers in need.

This week, the Senate Majority advanced a package of legislation that upholds scientific standards, expands access to vaccinations, and further empowers our state’s health care providers to administer vaccines and immunizations to New Yorkers.

As the federal Department of Health seeks to remove vaccinations from standardized immunization schedules, this package also incorporates legislation that would require insurance providers and Medicaid to continue covering certain vaccines and immunizations, protecting insurance coverage for New Yorkers.

The legislation being passed by the Senate Democratic Majority includes:

Authorizing Registered Pharmacy Technicians to Administer Immunizations (S.7025B): This bill will authorize registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists while under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Requiring Coverage of COVID-19 and Other Established Vaccinations (S.8334A): This bill will require commercial insurers to cover COVID-19 vaccinations, and would require Medicaid to cover the same and other established vaccinations.

Broadening Immunization Recommendations and Coverage (S.8496C): This bill will authorize health care practitioners to order and administer immunizations recommended not only by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), but also by independent, state, or interstate entities. Furthermore, it would require state-regulated insurance plans to cover vaccines recommended by these entities.

Ensuring Sound Childhood Immunization Practices (S.8853): This bill will call for children’s vaccine requirements to conform to regulations issued by the state Commissioner of Health, which regulations must be based on generally accepted medical standards and recommendations.

Permitting Nursing Students to Administer Certain Vaccines (S.5706A): This bill will permit nursing students to administer certain vaccines, and would permit physicians and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order nursing students to administer certain vaccines.

Requiring the Reimbursement of Vaccination Expenses (S.5852): This bill will require insurance companies to reimburse total direct and indirect practice expenses associated with vaccinations, in order for health care providers to more affordably administer vaccines.

Authorizing Medical Assistants to Administer Vaccinations (S.5340B): This bill would authorize and train medical assistants to administer immunizations under the direct supervision of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES

Join the Physicians for a National Health Program - NY Metro (PNHP), the Montefiore Social Medicine program, unions, and other partner organizations at their 2026 New York Health Act Lobby Day on Tuesday, March 17th!

Senator Rivera is the proud sponsor of the New York Health Act (S.3425), which would establish a universal, single-payer healthcare system in New York State.

With 33 Senate co-sponsors and 73 Assembly co-sponsors, New Yorkers need to make clear to legislators that the New York Health Act is necessary now because it will make healthcare a guarantee for everyone.

Sharing your personal stories, as patients and caregivers, is a powerful way to show how this transformational policy will be.

RSVP HERE

In January 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order 08, establishing NYC's first-ever "Rental Ripoff Hearings." These hearings will give New Yorkers across all five boroughs a direct platform to share their housing experiences in conversations with City officials to help shape housing policy. New Yorkers can discuss the challenges they face, from poor conditions and repair delays to unconscionable business practices and non-rent fees. City leaders from agencies focused on tenant stability, housing quality, and consumer protection will be there to listen. This is your chance to tell City government what's working, what isn't, and what needs to change.

The Bronx Rental Ripoff Hearing will take place next Wednesday, March 11. Unfortunately, pre-registration for this hearing is full. However, the City of New York still wants to hear from you. Please submit your testimony online.