Cuomo has declined to endorse single payer, saying action must be first taken on federal level. Electeds, activists and healthcare experts say it’s time to act now.

NEW YORK, NY – Cynthia Nixon has long been a proponent of single payer in New York, releasing a video last week about her mother’s discovery that she had breast cancer while uninsured. Governor Cuomo, on the other hand, has hedged, saying, “I think it’s going to be a federal play.”

Today, electeds, activists, and everyday New Yorkers joined Cynthia in calling for single payer now. Cynthia will also be holding a twitter chat on the topic at 12:30PM today.

Heather McGhee, National Policy Expert: “Truly universal health care is necessary, possible and downright popular in the United States today. Democrats should be leading with a vision for finally solving the costs & quality problem for good.”

Karen Scharff, Executive Director, Citizen Action of NY: “Cynthia Nixon has the guts to ​take on profit-driven insurance CEOs by creating a comprehensive health care system that works for all New Yorkers. We need a governor who will make sure our health care system recognizes that health care is a basic human right. ”

Julia Salazar, State Senate Candidate: “The profit motive has no place in healthcare. Here in New York and across the country, we desperately need a single-payer healthcare system that covers everyone, regardless of wealth, employment or immigration status. That’s why I look forward to working with Cynthia Nixon to pass the New York Health Act and guarantee that every New Yorker has access to care.”

Jessica Ramos, State Senate Candidate: “Healthcare is a human right—not a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Working families in Queens and across New York deserve single-payer healthcare—but instead, Governor Cuomo empowered Republicans to block single-payer healthcare, year after year. Photo ops and rallies won’t make up for the damage the Governor has done to countless families in our community. Cynthia Nixon won’t just talk about healthcare in photo opps; she’ll pass single-payer and finally give working families the quality healthcare we deserve.”

Robert Jackson, Former City Council Member and State Senate Candidate:“Healthcare is a right not a privilege and we must make it more accessible for families no matter where they live.  It’s wrong that the Republicans empowered by the IDC have killed the NY Health Act in the State Senate. It’s time the IDC gets out of the way and we pass this important legislation which would create a universal, single-payer system to guarantee equal access to healthcare–something every New Yorker deserves.”

Zahara Zahav, organizer with The Jewish Vote: “Universal health care will be a complete game-changer for New Yorkers. For it to be truly universal, the New York State Health Act must also cover long-term care from day one of its enactment. As a caregiver for her mother, Cynthia has experienced these issues first hand. She knows that New Yorkers need healthcare, including quality home health care for our family members as they get older. We know she’ll be a care champion and a true fighter for a New York State Health Act that is truly universal. With universal healthcare and long-term care, this bill represents a real investment in the care that seniors, people with disabilities, family caregivers, women, and all of us need to thrive.”

Rohith Palli, Rochester’s Metro Justice Healthcare Committee: “Despite progress made by the ACA, gross inequity in health care remains, especially in the greater Rochester region. Every day, New Yorkers are denied their basic right to health to ensure profits flow through the wealthcare system. Metro Justice does not endorse candidates, but we strongly believe that any elected leader across the state should support New York Health. It is great to see a candidate for Governor of New York State endorsing and embracing the real solution to a truly guaranteed health care for all system in New York State.  The New York Health Act is a critical part of ensuring a more just New York, and we welcome all, especially candidates for statewide office, to stand with Cynthia Nixon in doing the right thing and fighting for New York Health.”

Caity, Hudson Valley, NY: “My mom died 11 days after my daughter, her granddaughter, was born. She never got to see her. She was too scared to go to the doctor & didn’t get treatment (or tell anyone) until two months before she died, bc the tumor had become an open wound. We need single payer now.”

Carol W., New York, NY: “I am very high risk for many reasons. Fortunately, I am now covered by Medicare, but I have lost too many to breast cancer who could not afford coverage. It is a disgusting state of affairs. Thank you Cynthia for representing ALL of the people in NY. For being smart, dynamic, activist, and not a bully who folds for the GOP $$$ machine.”

G. Picket, New York, NY: “I want affordable health insurance. I earn just enough to not qualify for subsidies with obamacare, and am forced to spend more than 10% of my gross income for premiums.  This is not affordable and will result in having no health insurance either next year or the year after if prices continue to rise as they have the past few years.”

 

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