New York Health: A state single-payer bill

More than twenty states in the United States have introduced state-based single payer bills. In New York, Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried redrafted a 20-year-old bill that had previously passed in the New York State Assembly to reflect current needs and concerns. Features of the bill, which may be useful in drafting similar bills in other states, include universality (all residents), comprehensive benefits with no co-pays or deductibles, phasing out fee-for-service payment, funding through a graduated state payroll tax, care coordination, and application for federal waivers to fold in Medicare, Medicaid, ACA benefits and other federally funded programs. Private health insurance that duplicates benefits offered under New York Health could not be offered to New York residents. This presentation will also discuss the process of bill-drafting as an opportunity to build grassroots support and coalitions.