BCW Testifies before Assembly/Senate Health Committee on Single Payer Health Insurance

Saying a Single Payer system in New York State would add a $139 billion tax burden, the BCW testified in Albany that The New York Health Act would do more harm than good. John Ravitz, Vice President and COO of the Business Council of Westchester, told a joint Assembly/Senate Committee on Health Care that the New York State Exchange program was working.

“My question to all of you is why would we want to dismantle a statewide program that is accomplishing its mission? The cost to New York State to implement the New York Health Act has already been documented. The increase to future New York State budgets would be catastrophic and would force the legislature to close huge deficits by having to reduce funding in other important essential services. The bottom line is that New York State can’t afford and should not tear down their existing health care system that has already enrolled 4.8 million New Yorkers,’’ said Ravitz.

He added that the BCW would like to see the New York State Legislature work with stakeholders to make improvements to the New York State Health Exchange so that those New Yorkers who have not yet enrolled in the program have the opportunity to identify and select a sustainable health care plan.