The AARP today released a statewide poll that found that voters aged 30-64 strongly support the establishment of a NYS Health Insurance Exchange through this year’s State budget.  Specifically, they found that:

• 3 in 5 registered voters in NY age 30-64 support the governor’s plan to create a health insurance exchange.
• Nearly 2 in 3 respondents indicated that it should be a top or high priority for the state legislature to pass a budget this year that includes the governor’s health insurance Exchange.

New Yorkers are fed up and worried sick about the cost of their health insurance!  This continues to take a severe toll on working families and small businesses in the state.  AARP also found that:

• 1 in 8 respondents said they did not have any kind of health insurance coverage.
• Small business employees were three times more likely to be without insurance coverage than those who work for businesses with 50 or more employees.

This is some serious stuff! State Senate leaders have indicated that there is no rush for a health insurance Exchange in New York.  But, according to this poll, it sounds like New Yorkers beg to differ!  A NY Exchange would lower costs for people who buy insurance on their own by 66% and lower the cost of small business insurance by 22%.  The truth of the matter is that New Yorkers simply can’t afford to wait any longer.

To view the full AARP poll and findings, click here. 

Heck – while you’re at it, why not forward the link to your State Senator and let them know what YOU think! Click here to find/contact your State Senator.