On Tuesday, December 16, the New York State Assembly held a hearing on Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried’s New York Health Act, which would create a state-wide universal healthcare program. Advocates, union leaders, patients and faith leaders offered personal stories detailing how the current healthcare system is increasingly too expensive for the average family and many employers and called on the Legislature to pass the proposal.

Marva Wade, retired RN and NYSNA’s 2nd Vice President and Anne Bové, Bellevue RN, NYSNA Secretary and President of HHC/Mayorals Executive Council gave compelling testimony, saying that true universal health coverage removes barriers to healthcare access and opens all doors to quality healthcare.

“A competent, highly-skilled and motivated public system in the nation’s largest city, treating more than a million patients a year. It’s time to extend these values into our healthcare system overall — throughout New York State,” said Bové. “On behalf of my fellow 8,000 nurses in the public system, and thousands more elsewhere in the ranks of NYSNA, we strongly urge the passage of this very important legislation. It’s time for New York Health!”

The New York City hearing was the fourth of six hearings to be held in Long Island, New York City, Central and Western New York, and the Capital Region.

“Nurses respond to patient need. That’s what our profession is all about. Getting quality care to patients on the basis of need.  We must put in place a healthcare system that gives priority to patient need,” said Wade. “Nurses are here today to calling for a system of care that gives priority to patient need. That is what single payer does. We urge this committee, and all our fellow New Yorkers, to trust the judgment of nurses, your caregivers. Support this paramount legislation.”