Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) voted against the Assembly Majority’s efforts to create a universal single-payer health care system similar to the one abandoned by the State of Vermont. Blankenbush is troubled by how it would negatively impact health care by limiting choice and access and the significant cost this would create for New Yorkers and job creators.

“New York taxpayers simply cannot afford the Assembly Majority’s ill-conceived universal single-payer health care plan that will cost billions of dollars,” said Blankenbush. “They keep saying residents won’t pay any premiums for the plan, but what they fail to tell you is that income tax assessments will be charged to working New Yorkers and their employers. There is also the risk that the federal government will not give the state the necessary waivers to avoid paying into the $70 billion federal health care programs, so New York taxpayers could be hit twice. Let’s be clear, this plan is a mess. Not only is it costly, it will negatively impact health care by limiting choice and access, and it is uncertain how this plan would affect retirees and those who move out of the state. As the bill is written now, it seems like they will lose their coverage entirely. I cannot believe anyone could vote in favor of this bill.”

To pay for the single-payer system, working New Yorkers would be subject to a progressive income assessment or tax. They would be required to contribute 20 percent of the cost, with their employers contributing 80 percent. There also would be additional taxes imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains. The state would need waivers in order to avoid paying into federal health care programs like Medicaid, which, in total, cost the state $70 billion. If the state fails to obtain the waivers, New Yorkers will have to pay for both systems.

Blankenbush also is concerned by the lack of provisions in the bill to address fraud. Recently, it was reported that there are significant errors and fraud in the Medicaid system that are not being addressed. The state comptroller discovered more than $513 million was made in fraudulent Medicaid payments. “It is conceivable that a large public health care system, such as the proposed single-payer system, would have similar issues, especially if there are no mechanisms to prevent fraud,” Blankenbush concluded.