“Nothing is more essential than the health of our children, our families and our communities. When a family member or friend gets sick, they deserve care, plain and simple. Health care is a basic right for everyone, not a privilege for a few. Unfortunately, rapidly rising costs are making it more and more difficult for families to get the care they need and for employers to provide coverage for their employees.

“That’s why I helped pass the New York Health Act, which would provide comprehensive coverage for all New Yorkers based on need, not ability to pay. It would allow families to keep more of their hard-earned dollars, lower costs for businesses, and in times of sickness or injury, guarantee that everyone has access to the highest quality of care possible.

“The New York Health Act would eliminate the need for businesses to purchase private health insurance for their employees, benefiting employers and making our state more business friendly. It would also allow families to choose their own health care providers – because crucial health decisions should always be between you and your doctor, not the insurance companies. And it would mean real, long-term reform for our state, making our communities healthier places to live and raise our families.”