Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) helped pass the New York Health Act to create a universal health plan to cover every New York State resident (A.5062). In addition to ensuring quality health care to all, the reform would significantly reduce costs.

“Everyone deserves health care coverage they can depend on – whether you’re sick and need the latest treatments, or you’re healthy and would benefit from preventive care,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “By ensuring every New Yorker has quality health care we can help create a healthier New York.”

Passage of the New York Health Act follows a series of public hearings held across the state – in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, New York City, Mineola and Albany – to receive feedback from the public, hear expert testimony and highlight personal stories of individuals and families affected by dysfunction in the private insurance market.

Under New York Health, all residents would be eligible to enroll in the universal health care system – regardless of wealth, income, age or health status – and every enrollee would have access to the full range of doctors and service providers offered. Benefits would include comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care, primary and preventive care, prescription drug costs, laboratory testing, rehabilitative care and dental, vision and hearing care. As with private insurance, out-of-state care would be covered, either when residents are traveling and need health services or when there is a clinical reason to receive care outside the state.

Those providing or coordinating care would be fully paid by New York Health, with no co-pays or other charges to patients. Funding for the system would be based on a shared 80/20 employer/employee payroll tax contribution. This would mean health care would no longer be paid for through a “regressive tax” of premiums, co-pays and deductibles imposed on patients regardless of their ability to pay, Thiele noted.

“Not only will health care coverage for every New Yorker mean healthier communities, it will also help strengthen our state’s economy,” said Thiele. “The economic benefits are clear – when children are healthy, they have better attendance and do well in school. And when employees are healthy, they help boost productivity.”

With health care costs increasing nationally, considerable research has shown that a universal health care system would reduce costs and pass savings along to patients, consumers and taxpayers. A 2009 state Department of Health report showed that this type of system would provide the lowest cost for universal coverage in comparison to systems relying on private and employer-based insurance.¹ In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites wellness and preventive health care as key measures that will help people live longer, more productive lives while reducing overall health care costs.²

“Universal health care is quite simply the best option we have to provide quality coverage for all New Yorkers, while also reining in health care costs, reducing bureaucracy and saving taxpayer dollars,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “The Assembly’s New York Health Act would ensure people come before profits and not the other way around. The hardworking families of New York deserve nothing less.”

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