We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both.
---Justice Louis Brandeis
Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
---Frederick Douglass
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
--Margaret Mead
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WORKING TO PASS THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT
About 2 million New Yorkers are currently uninsured. Millions more are underinsured, but may not know it. If something terrible happens to them, they may not be able to pay for the care they need. Every year hundreds of thousands of people wind up filing for bankruptcy because of medical debt.
The U.S. spends more than $3 trillion on healthcare annually--nearly double per capita than any other nation. Yet our healthcare outcomes are far behind in nearly every category. Financial barriers and lack of access to care are significant drivers in these shameful health outcomes. Each year 1/3 of patients WITH INSURANCE go without prescribed medicines or fail to get the medical attention they need because of high deductibles and co-pays. Very serious financial issues are created for families or individuals when doctors or hospitals are out of the network covered by a particular policy.
If we can get the New York Health Act passed, it will bring Medicare for All to New York. Besides making comprehensive quality healthcare both available and affordable for all New Yorkers, it could serve as a model for the whole of America. The single-payer system in Canada began in one province with a population of less than one million people.
The facts and figures are there. It would save lives and money. It is doable. The problem is getting it up for a vote. Although the bill has enough co-sponsors in both houses of the New York State Legislature to pass if it comes up for a vote and all those cosponsors keep their commitments, we have been unable to get it up for a vote. The New York Progressive Action Network (NYPAN), to which we belong, is working with a coalition of groups to make that happen.
You can learn more about the New York Health Act by visiting:
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WORKING TO PASS THE NEW DEAL FOR CUNY
The City University of New York System (CUNY) was once a model for the whole country. The list of those who graduated from it, or who depended on it for an important part of their education, is both long and illustrious. It was an important bridge out of poverty and a component of New York's economic machine. Tuition was free.
During the seventies, however, free tuition was ended and funding for CUNY started to be cut back. Both staffing and the physical plant suffered.
A bill called the New Deal for CUNY would provide funding at the level needed to run a quality educational institution, restore free tuition and provide economic aid and other needed help for CUNY students.
It did not come up for a vote in the last session of the New York State Legislature, but agitation for it provided the needed impetus for increased funding for CUNY to be included in the budget.
Videos from a rally to thank the New York City Council for passing a resolution supporting the bill:
A summary of the bill:
Videos from a rally to support the bill:
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