Senator Parker and Senate Democrats Fight to Protect Healthcare Gains for all New Yorkers

BROOKLYN, NY (3/8/17) – With the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, (ACA) approximately 2.7 million New Yorkers may lose insurance as a result of a roll-back of Medicaid expansion, the loss of federal credits to purchase insurance, and the elimination of the Essential Plan for low-income New Yorkers not eligible for Medicaid. Today, State Senator Kevin Parker (D- Brooklyn), and the New York State Senate Democratic Conference took action by proposing legislation to address some of the most pressing concerns that the GOP and its supporters are trying to repeal.

"The legislative package proposed today by our Conference aimed at preserving healthcare coverage for New Yorkers is essential, especially in this day and age of exclusionary policies coming out of Washington,” Senator Parker said, adding, “The Affordable Care Act has provided millions of working class families in New York crucial and life-saving healthcare, and it is imperative that we continue to protect their rights, despite any plans President Trump or any Coalition may have to strip healthcare from New York State residents."

The Senate Democrats’ plan call for the creation of a single payer health plan that all New York State residents would enter in, and it enshrines the Health Insurance Exchange in Statute as a Public Benefit Corporation that would continue to allow New Yorkers to compare and purchase affordable health insurance. The final measure contained in the Protection Against Repeal Bill ensures that health insurance protections provided under the Affordable Care Act are effective in New York State even if the ACA is repealed. It includes requiring the coverage of essential health benefits and the prohibition on denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

"The Flatbush Family Health Center at NYU Langone services many constituents within Senator Parker's district and I am proud of his leadership in working to protect their health benefits,” said  Claudya C. Verdiner, Site Director at Flatbush Family Health Center at NYU Langone.  “Health Insurance is a vital aspect of everyday life and at The Flatbush Family Health Center at NYU Langone, we will continue to provide quality health services to residents within Brooklyn and throughout our great City," concluded Verdiner.

Since the Exchange went live in 2013, New York State’s rate of uninsured individuals dropped from 10% to five percent, and 3.6 million New Yorkers have obtained health insurance through the Exchange. However, the concern is that since it was established by an Executive Order signed by the Governor of the State of New York - without any legislative input, a simple stroke of the pen could dismantle the Exchange. Senator Parker is working tireless to thwart this potential reality.

About Senator Parker

Senator Parker, a lifelong Brooklyn resident, serves 318,000 ethnically diverse Brooklyn constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope. He is the Ranking Democratic Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, and the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. He currently serves as the Democratic Whip for the New York State Senate Democratic Conference, as well as Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. For more information on Senator Parker, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker