New York lawmakers are making a renewed effort to create a single-payer health care system in the state amid ongoing opposition from business organizations and insurance companies.
The latest version of the single-payer proposal is meant to address the concerns that have been raised in the past by labor unions, said the two health committee chairs in the state Senate and Assembly.
Lawmakers pointed to protections for existing benefits that have already been put in place for labor unions, including having employer contributions cover costs and a provision to ensure any public worker or retiree health benefit, including local government benefits, are included in the program.
Lawmakers also sought to clarify language that all health care providers participating in the program receive full benefits and protections if health programs subsidized by the federal government are used for financial support.