Single-payer health care in NY? State lawmakers hear both sides at U of R

Legislators from the New York State Legislature and State Assembly gathered at the University of Rochester to hear testimony for the New York Health Act, a bill that aims to bring single-payer health care to the state.

The bill would create a health care system operated by New York State, at a cost one study from the RAND Corporation estimates at $130 billion, which factors in the new combined payroll and non-payroll tax introduced by the bill.

State Assemblyman Harry Bronson from the 138th district, as well as State Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, both from New York City, spoke in support of the bill.

“We’re here today to tell everybody that we need the health care that we have to be universal, said Becca Forsyth, an advocate who spoke at a press conference before testifying. “Everyone needs to be able to have access to affordable care.”