Take Action: Enact the Basic Health Program in New York
Posted March 20, 2014 by Amanda
What is the problem?
Thousands of working New Yorkers earn too much to qualify for public health insurance (like Medicaid), but not enough to afford private health plans. Even the financial aid available through NY State of Health (the state’s new health plan marketplace) isn’t quite enough to make health insurance affordable for some lower and moderate-income hardworking families, who are struggling to pay rent, utilities, groceries and other expenses in our high-cost state.
The solution? A Basic Health Program.
A Basic Health Program (BHP) will offer quality, low cost health insurance to thousands of hardworking New Yorkers making just above the poverty level. It’s something New York can do thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
How would it work?
Eligible New Yorkers would pay only a small insurance premium (a sliding scale of $20 a month or less) and get high quality health coverage.
Can New York afford it?
Yes! Because of available federal funds, New York State would actually save money in health care costs we are paying now on our own.
How can you take action to create a Basic Health Program in New York State?
1. Tell your legislator to support the Basic Health Program
Governor Cuomo and the New York State Assembly have included the Basic Health Program in their proposed budgets, but we still need the NYS Senate’s support to make this program a reality.
Email, call and write your New York State Senator, and urge them to approve the Basic Health Program, a low-cost health insurance option for working families, which will save the State money. If you would benefit from a Basic Health Program, make sure to share your story.
To find your New York Senator, click here
Email, call and write your New York Assembly Member to thank them for supporting the Basic Health Program, and ask them to stand strong for the Program during budget negotiations.
To find your New York Assembly Member, click here
2. Share your story: How would you benefit from a Basic Health Program?
Personal stories are critical to show the legislature that people around the State would benefit from more affordable health coverage.
- To share your own story: Use our story form to share how you would benefit from a Basic Health Program.
- To share, with permission, the story of a New York consumer: Use our organizational story form to submit the story and a permission form signed by the consumer.