Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her skepticism Tuesday regarding the expansion of healthcare to cover more New Yorkers irrespective of immigration status, citing the need for increased federal funding.
This comes amid cautionary advice from budget watchdogs against increasing recurring spending. Despite these concerns, advocates argue for the existence of more financial flexibility than perceived by the governor. The proposed bill, known as ‘Coverage for All’ and already approved by the state Senate, is slated for voting in the state Assembly next week.
Advocacy groups like Make the Road New York, along with business councils, healthcare unions, and hospital groups, are urging the Assembly to prioritize the legislation, highlighting its potential benefits for low-income immigrant New Yorkers and the state’s healthcare system.
However, fiscal experts urge caution, predicting budget gaps in the coming years and increasing expenditures in healthcare and education, major budget areas for New York.
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