(ROCHESTER, NY) - Monday, October 5th at 11am, Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) and healthcare leaders from across Monroe County will join Senator Cooney to unveil his bill (S.10698) that creates universal healthcare coverage for children under the age of 19 across all of New York State. On “National Child Health Day,” we recognize the urgent need to remove cost barriers for families and ensure that every child – regardless of income or background – can access the care they deserve. 

This announcement highlights the statewide coalition of pediatricians, hospitals, and community partners who are standing behind this effort to build a healthier future for New York’s children.

“Healthy kids become healthy adults,” said Senator Cooney. “When we invest in our youngest New Yorkers, we are helping set families up for long-term success. No parent should ever have to decide between doctor appointments or basic necessities, yet rising premiums and out-of-pocket costs force too many families into these impossible decisions. This legislation removes those barriers and helps ensure New York’s children get the coverage they deserve.”

Dr, Frederick Johnson, Interim President and CEO of Anthony L. Jordan Health said, “At Jordan Health, we believe every child deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Senator Cooney's Bill represents a significant step toward ensuring that children across New York can receive the preventive care, screenings, immunizations, and treatment they need to grow into healthy adults. By removing barriers to coverage and expanding access to care, this legislation has the potential to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and strengthen communities throughout our state. We applaud Senator Cooney for his leadership and commitment to putting the health and well-being of New York's children first."

Larry Marx, CEO of The Children’s Agenda said, “An estimated 113,000 children (0-18) in New York State do not have health insurance as of 2024. In December of 2025, our statewide poll of 1,000 voters showed that 71% of voters already struggle with the cost of health care. Expanding New York’s Child Health Plus to families whose income is above the threshold for Medicaid would significantly reduce barriers to health care, especially for those children most vulnerable to inequities. The Children’s Agenda applauds Senator Cooney’s leadership developing a legislative solution to support a healthier future for all of New York’s children.”

Dr. Matt Present, Local Pediatrician said, “From delayed or foregone immunizations to higher rates of avoidable hospitalizations, the evidence is clear–being uninsured limits kids' access to care and makes them sicker. There is no better measuring stick for a society than how it treats its children, and Senator Cooney's bill is both humane and sensible. As both a parent and a pediatrician, I'm grateful to him for working to ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, gets the coverage they need to stay healthy.”

In New York, more than 113,000 children lack consistent access to care. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, uninsured children are five times more likely to have unmet medical needs, four times more likely to miss preventative visits, and significantly more likely to experience avoidable hospitalizations. Preventative care like regular checkups, screenings, and immunizations are proven to keep kids healthy, reduce chronic disease, and improve long-term educational and economic outcomes. 

The Senator explained that healthcare costs are rising faster than inflation. This year, New York’s individual market insurance carriers requested average premium increases of 21% which would add more than $2,000 in annual costs for many households. 

Senator Cooney’s legislation expands access to health care coverage by working within existing federal Medicaid programs and opening New York’s Child Health Plus to all children regardless of their households income. 

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