Res. No. 1538
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to adopt A.7860-A and S.5425-A, which would create "New York Health," a state single payer health insurance plan to provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers.
By Council Members Koppell, Brewer, Chin, James, Lander, Rose, Wills and Rodriguez
Whereas, According to a New York State report, there are an estimated 2.7 million uninsured New Yorkers; and
Whereas, A.7860-A, sponsored by Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and S.5425-A, sponsored by State Senator Tom Duane, would create "New York Health," a state single payer health insurance plan to provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers; and
Whereas, Under the proposed legislation, every New York resident would be eligible to enroll, regardless of age, income, health or employment status; and
Whereas, Furthermore, patients would not be subject to out-of-pocket charges such as premiums, deductibles, or co-pays, and coverage would be publicly funded; and
Whereas, Benefits would include comprehensive outpatient and inpatient medical care, primary and preventative care, prescription drugs, laboratory tests, rehabilitative care, dental, vision and other benefits; and
Whereas, The New York Health plan would provide savings through the consolidation of health care expenditures under a single, publicly financed, insurance program; and
Whereas, The aforementioned report indicated that a single payer program could save the State an estimated $20 billion annually by 2019; and
Whereas, According to advocacy group Single Payer New York, such a health insurance program would also provide stability to New York's hospitals by freeing up resources for patient care; and
Whereas, A study by the New York State Health Foundation ("the Foundation") found that the percentage of New York residents who get health insurance through their jobs has dropped considerably from 69% in 2003 to 58% in 2009, which is below the national average of 65%; and
Whereas, The study also found that a single payer health program would significantly benefit New York small business owners; and
Whereas, A single payer plan could reduce the amount of wages that would otherwise be lost to health insurance costs by a cumulative $50 billion, or 92% over ten years, according to the Foundation; and
Whereas, Further, small businesses would be able to preserve 50% more jobs by 2018 when compared to the status quo; and
Whereas, In 2011, Vermont became the first state to establish a single payer healthcare system; and
Whereas, Since a single payer provision is not included in the Affordable Care Act, a waiver from the federal government would eventually be required to implement such system, however, the federal waiver will not be available until 2017; and
Whereas, Other states considering a single payer program include California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana and Pennsylvania; and
Whereas, A single payer health plan could result in significant savings for the State, and help to secure more jobs, while providing high-quality health insurance coverage for all New Yorkers; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to adopt A.7860-A and S.5425-A, which would create "New York Health," a state single payer health insurance plan to provide comprehensive health coverage for all New Yorkers.
LS #3845
TC
8/16/12
12:30 pm