Pass the New York Health Act! We all need healthcare!

I strongly support the passage of the New York Health Act (S3425/A1466) to establish a single payer healthcare system for all NY residents. While quality, affordable healthcare for the entire country is long overdue, that is not currently feasible at the federal level with the coup dismantling our government. It is, however, feasible at the state level. Due to cruel federal legislation, many people will soon lose their healthcare coverage. This will result in worsening illness and even death, all to fund tax cuts to the wealthy. New York doesn’t have to let this happen. Our current healthcare system is expensive and inequitable with worse outcomes compared to other developed nations. NY could establish a better model for the rest of the country to follow. This system would provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to all New Yorkers without out-of-pocket costs or restrictive provider networks. It would lead to significant cost savings by eliminating administrative overhead, negotiating lower drug prices, and streamlining healthcare delivery. Taking care of people ultimately saves money. It also addresses root causes of poverty in multiple ways. It would reduce health disparities by improving healthcare access. It would free up funds for non-profits and small businesses who provide employer-funded healthcare to then redistribute. Many are likely to raise employee wages, something they currently can’t afford to do, helping to address income disparities. This may help to reduce homelessness, a scourge experienced throughout the country. Reduced poverty could likely decrease violence. NY residents would no longer be held in bondage to their employers for healthcare. All of this could in turn increase market competitiveness, improving working conditions and wages overall. It may also encourage small business development by alleviating the burden of paying for health insurance/healthcare, creating jobs. The collective health and well-being of New Yorkers is likely to improve. Little is more important than our health and many people simply can’t afford adequate healthcare. This is inhumane and unacceptable in a developed country. We should have healthcare coverage that is at least as good as the taxpayer-funded coverage you receive as our representative. We elected you to represent and take care of us. Please do so with the money we give you. Our lives depend on it.