Lawmakers Push for New York Health Act Plan
Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Senator Gustavo Rivera held a town hall to promote universal healthcare.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Healthcare
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Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Senator Gustavo Rivera held a town hall at Elmhurst Hospital to advocate for the New York Health Act. This proposed legislation would establish a universal single-payer system in New York State by replacing most commercial insurance with a state-administered plan.
Why it matters
Proponents argue the act is necessary as rising healthcare premiums and industry profit motives force residents to struggle with medical affordability and avoid critical services. By eliminating premiums and co-pays, supporters believe they can alleviate the financial burden on New Yorkers.
A RAND Corporation study estimates the program requires $160 billion in funding during its first year of operation. The same research indicates that 90% of New York residents would see a net reduction in their overall healthcare spending.
The players
Jessica González-Rojas
She is an Assembly Member who is a lead proponent of the New York Health Act.
Gustavo Rivera
He is a New York State Senator who is championing the single-payer legislation.
RAND Corporation
This is a non-profit research organization that provides policy analysis and studies on public issues.
The details
The bill aims to enroll all state residents regardless of age, income, employment, or immigration status. It would be funded through a graduated income tax while reducing state healthcare spending by cutting administrative paperwork and using bulk drug purchasing.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: Town hall held at Elmhurst Hospital.
November 2026: Upcoming gubernatorial election.
Market Landscape
The push for the New York Health Act follows a long legislative stalemate, as previous versions have passed the Assembly but failed to reach a Senate vote. Supporters now look to future election results and a potential Senate supermajority to shift the competitive landscape for state-funded healthcare.
If enacted, the bill would eliminate co-pays and insurance premiums for all residents across New York State. This would replace current commercial insurance plans with a new, state-administered system funded by a graduated income tax.
The takeaway
The proposed shift to a single-payer system represents a significant change to how residents manage medical costs. Residents may want to track upcoming legislative sessions as political outcomes in November could influence the bill's momentum.
Further reading
Learn more about local policy developments on the New York Healthcare page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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