The ongoing public health crisis has exposed and widened the gaps in our healthcare system, but it was in a state of crisis long before the pandemic began.

Approximately 1 million New Yorkers have no health insurance and millions more are underinsured—meaning they have insurance but are unable to use it thanks to high deductibles and copays. A statewide survey released in 2018 revealed that 50% of New Yorkers had skipped or delayed treatment due to cost, 75% had been uninsured at some point in their lives, and 1 in 3 reported developing more serious conditions because of delayed care. Nationwide, in a “normal” year, approximately 68 thousand people die due to lack of medical coverage, and medical bills are the #1 cause of bankruptcy.

Despite these gaping holes in our current system, we pay twice as much as any major county in the world and get much worse results. We have higher infant and maternal mortality rates and lower life expectancy, and we rank near the bottom of wealthy countries in terms of overall health and access to care. 

New York has a historic opportunity to fix these problems and lead the country to universal healthcare by passing the New York Health Act in 2022. Cold Spring could play a role in making that happen by passing a resolution in support of the bill, which would guarantee comprehensive coverage to every New Yorker, regardless of age, income or employment status, with no premiums, copays, deductibles or network restrictions.

The Village of Cold Spring would save hundreds of thousands in healthcare expenses every year under the New York Health Act, while the Haldane Central School District and Putnam County would save millions--savings that could be passed on to residents in the form of lower property taxes and enhanced public services. Independent studies have shown that up to 98% of New Yorkers would spend less on healthcare than they do now, for much better coverage! 

I support passage of the New York Health Act, which will guarantee healthcare for all New Yorkers under one comprehensive plan, including medical, dental, vision, hearing, mental health, prescription drugs, substance abuse treatment, long term care and reproductive care.

I urge the Village of Cold Spring to join 21 municipalities around the State of New York (including Philipstown) in passing a resolution in support of the New York Health Act, urging state legislators and the Governor to pass universal healthcare legislation this year. Now, more than ever, we must treat healthcare as a public good rather than a privilege, and guarantee healthcare as a right for all.