Greg Halzen here, inviting you to join me and millions of others gathering momentum to build a better healthcare system. We can do it. 

As I train for the Big Apple Olympic-Distance Triathlon in October and the New York City Marathon in November, I invite you to join me in taking action for one or more of the following efforts (this action menu will be updated): 

• The New York Health Act... it's so close to passing in our state legislature... let's get it! If you're a New York State resident, please sign this petition and I will invite you to a few new action options as they come up.
  You can also read more about this campaign here (https://www.nyhcampaign.org/faqs and why I support it below. 
  Here are some major features of the proposal:
  
  • Guarantees healthcare for every New Yorker.
  • Saves New Yorkers money.
  • Expands care to include dental, hearing, vision, long term care and more.
  • Covers prescriptions
  • You choose the doctors and hospitals you want.
    
    
• (Shared previously from the summer. The donation link is still open, though if donating to ACS is an action you can take!)
  American Cancer Society... this summer, I am working at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a Nurse Assistant in the Head/Neck Thoracic Surgery Unit & it is particularly meaningful work because a few of my family members are cancer survivors. Click here to donate during July 2026 (as I work on my swimming goals): https://www.gofundme.com/f/Greg-swims-5mi-for-the-american-cancer-society 

 

Why I Support the New York Health Act

I am just one of millions of family member trying to navigate the barriers imposed by our current health insurance system. Like many New Yorkers, my family often finds ourselves having to delay necessary medical care or make heart-wrenching budget decisions because our insurance imposes unexpected barriers. 

It's disheartening, even heartbreaking, to experience and witness these unnecessary fights over coverage for healthcare that our doctors insist is needed and even sometimes believe is supposedly insured. Furthermore, the premiums we pay are incredibly high, making the whole system feel inequitable and inefficient. 

So many families across the state share these burdens, leading us to a crisis where access to preventative and standard care is severely restricted for millions of our neighbors. This lack of access not only jeopardizes individual health but also strains our local hospitals. They become overwhelmed, leaving fewer resources for emergency care and reducing the quality of care for everyone. 

We, as New Yorkers, have the power to change this narrative. The solution lies in the New York Health Act (NYHA), legislation that promises to modernize our healthcare system by utilizing our taxes to provide healthcare for all. 

The NYHA would start to recover our place among other industrialized, high-income nations who successfully offer universal healthcare with excellent results. It would redirect the profits that go to ineffective health insurance companies and send them back to our families and into our communities. 

The time for action is now, and is ongoing. The New York Health Act isn't just a policy; it's a promise for a healthier future where every resident has access to the medical care they need without fear of financial ruin. We must convince our state legislators to prioritize our health and pass this significant piece of legislation. By supporting an effort like this, we ensure a strong, healthier state in which every person can thrive. 

Let's come together to champion this essential cause and make universal healthcare a reality in New York. Please sign this petition to show your support for the New York Health Act and help bring about a monumental change that guarantees healthcare as a right for every New Yorker. 

Here are some related links for more information:

• About the New York Health Act: https://www.nyhcampaign.org/aboutnyha 
  
  
• About a local Bronx perspective & campaign to build power to win the NYHA: https://ourbronx.org/health (you might see someone you know!) 
  
  
• About the appeal for businesses: https://fixithealthcare.com/ 
  
  
• About some recent progress to reduce medical debt in NY, but also a warning that more needs to be done: https://www.cssny.org/campaigns/entry/end-medical-debt 
  
  
• About the perspective & campaign of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA): https://www.nysna.org/campaigns-healthcare-all/single-payer-system-new-york-state 
  
  
• About the growing coalition supporting the NYHA: https://ourbronx.org/release-healthcare-town-hall-connects-new-york-health-act-immigration-to-federal-threats  
  
  
• About the appeal for union educators: https://thewire.educators.nyc/p/union-members-should-demand-the-new   

Fun Facts about the Training Part 

• I've lived in NYC for 18 years now, and it's been 20 years since I completed the Athens marathon... so I'm excited to try the NYC Marathon this year. It's such a fun day in NYC each year!
  
  
• I've done 2 triathlons in the past couple years as well as a bunch of running races... they are a fun and also challenging way to keep at my weekly exercise goals that are a part of treating my chronic back pain and taking care of my mental health.
  
  
• My training is only possible with support and encouragement from my family, especially my partner Jolene, and the great energy of the running community including our local team, Bronx Nomads.