The following was published in Issue #20 of dcDIGEST on September 9, 2025.
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NOTE: DCDC has not taken a position on this legislation.
As the Trump administration takes its scalpel to Medicare, VA benefits, SNAP and other health-related programs, fear of losing access to affordable healthcare is gripping people across party affiliation, age group, and geography. Yet few New Yorkers know that our State legislature is considering a single-payer healthcare bill that could deliver one of the most progressive health care programs in the country.
The devastating One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to NYS Department of Health, will cause over 37,000 people in Congressional District NY-19 to lose health insurance. The District is estimated to lose over $270M in Federal and Essential Plan funding. Trickle-down impact could force the closure of local hospitals, which would have to absorb over $48M in medical service costs that would no longer be compensated through insurance programs.
NOTE: The New York Health Act [S3425/A1466] (NYHA) could do more than fill the gap – it could provide coverage that far exceeds what Medicare and Medicaid provide today – for every New Yorker. First introduced in 1991, NYHA would provide comprehensive coverage for primary care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, vision, dental, mental health and long term care. There would be no premiums, deductibles, or co-pays for medically necessary care.
Too good to be feasible? Maybe not. The good news: this is mature legislation. First introduced in 1991, NYHA has been improved to address various practical hurdles and issues. Topmost are concerns over its cost and how it would be paid for. NYHA is projected to save NY families and employers billions annually by cutting administrative costs, reducing drug prices through negotiations, and prioritizing preventive care. It would be paid for through a graduated income tax, separate from the NY State budget, to prevent fiscal impact to other State priorities. Some public unions have expressed concern that the NYHA might mean less coverage for their members than their current union health plans provide, but it’s not clear if this will be the case.
A bill whose time has come? With alarms ringing over Federal cuts, momentum for a visionary State-level plan seems to be growing. NYHA has over 90 co-sponsors in the Assembly and 30 in the Senate. It’s been endorsed by dozens of unions, advocacy groups, and associations of care providers. Check out these sites to learn more:
On the NYS Senate website, you can read the text of the bill and sign up to receive status alerts.
The Campaign for NY Health is a good source of information, whether or not you are committed to supporting the bill.
NOTE: A public information forum about the NYHA is taking place March 28, United Ministries, 1 Church Street in Delhi at Noon.