MEMORANDUM
IN SUPPORT
OF A. 6575
ASSEMBLYMEMBER GOTTFRIED
The
New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
strongly supports A.6575 that would establish a Legislative Commission
on Health Care Coverage Reform.
The
Legislative Commission on Health Care Coverage would help New
York develop a long-term, comprehensive and cost-effective solution
to the growing costs of health care programs, including Medicaid
and long term care.
NASW-NYS
Chapter supports a universal health care policy that ensures the
right to access to a continuum of health and mental health care
to promote wellness, maintain optimal health, prevent illness
and disability, treat health conditions, ameliorate the effects
of unavoidable incapacities, and provide supportive long-term
and end-of-life care.
Millions
of New Yorkers are unable to have full access to health care because
they lack health coverage. The current system of health
coverage undermines the health and financial security of those
who lack coverage; imposes increasing financial burdens on employers,
taxpayers and individuals who pay for health coverage; unfairly
distributes the economic and social costs of health care; and
undermines the financial viability of health care providers.
While
the present debate on capping local contribution to Medicaid has
merit, it fails to address the underlying problems of either Medicaid
or our overall state health care system. Health care costs
across the board have increased by double digits in each of the
last four years. We need more health care for the money
we are already spending and not more money for an inadequate health
care system. We need a solution that helps consumers, governments
and businesses by providing quality, affordable health care for
all New Yorkers.
NASW-NYS
strongly supports A.6575 and urges the New York State Legislature
to enact this legislation.
