(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, State Senator Gustavo Rivera joined Congressman Ro Khanna of California and Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts as they announced the introduction of their State-Based Universal Health Care Act (SBUHCA). 

The SBUHCA will allow states that have passed legislation creating a state-based, universal healthcare program to go into effect without federal red tape. Specifically, the bill would enable state-based healthcare systems by granting states:

• Access to federal funding streams (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, FEHBP)
• Waiver authority to bypass federal restrictions, including ERISA and Medicare limitations
• Support from HHS through technical assistance

• Independent oversight to ensure coverage, cost, and benefit requirements are met. 

   

With the passage of the federal reconciliation bill depriving people of healthcare coverage, defunding healthcare institutions and programs, and making states responsible for a larger share of their healthcare spending, Senator Rivera strongly believes that this is the right time for this piece of legislation, which will support the implementation of the New York Health Act (S3425), his groundbreaking legislation to create a single-payer plan for New York residents and employees.

“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in D.C. who have introduced a brilliant bill to enable states to establish universal healthcare systems with support from the federal government,” said New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I assure my fellow New Yorkers that we could establish a single payer system through the NY Health Act without a federal waiver, but the State-Based Universal Health Care Act would make that process far more seamless and ultimately, make healthcare more accessible and affordable and fix our broken healthcare system.”

The New York Health Act would guarantee universal, comprehensive healthcare through a single-payer system to everyone who lives or works in New York, no matter employment, age, income, race, or immigration status. It would also save billions of dollars over the coming years for New York State by eliminating health insurance company profits and cutting administrative costs.