State Senator Gustavo Rivera on the End of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session

“The Senate Majority passed courageous legislation that will empower our communities to thrive, not just survive, despite an unusual legislative year. We secured significant victories this  session, including passing Coverage for All, implementing overdue increases for Medicaid reimbursement rates, expanding our State’s lead poisoning prevention measures, championing historic policies to protect our environment and health, and investing in accessible childcare and resources to support New York families. We’re focusing on making investments that benefit working class communities and addressing systemic injustices, critical to our progress as a State.”

“As Chair of the Senate Health Committee, I am proud to have passed my Coverage For All bill in the Senate. However, I am incredibly disappointed that we could not seal the deal in the Assembly and give undocumented New Yorkers the opportunity to access proper healthcare. Another missed opportunity, which has been an unfortunate pattern this year. Despite this setback, I will continue to champion the New York Health Act to overhaul our broken healthcare system, my Safer Consumption Services Act, which will open Overdose Prevention Centers in places that need them, and the last bill in my legislative package to end medical debt. We must continue elevating our community’s voices to ensure we are building a more equitable and fairer New York. The work continues,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

Highlights of Senator Rivera’s Legislative Accomplishments that Passed both Houses: 

• Enacting the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act , part of my #EndMedicalDebt legislative package. (S.4907A)
• Enacting the Lead Pipe Rights to Know Act, which will make information about the number and location of lead pipelines easily accessible to New Yorkers in an effort to get lead out of New York's drinking water. (S.5512) 
• Establishing a demonstration program to address the staffing challenges associated with the pandemic that have driven an increase in the use of temporary agency staff throughout the healthcare sector, including in nursing homes. (S.6897)
• Establishing at least four maternal-infant care centers for infants suffering from withdrawal. (S.226A)
• Expanding eligibility for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance coverage program. (S.966 Budget)
• Prohibiting price gouging of medicine. (S.608A Budget)

Highlights of Senator Rivera’s Legislative Accomplishments that Passed the Senate: 

• Coverage For All (S.2247A)
• Medical Debt Relief Act (S.5909B), part of my #EndMedicalDebt legislative package.  

Highlights of this session’s most critical legislative measures championed by the Senate Majority

• Enacting the Clean Slate Act. 
• Enacting the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act.
• Creating a Reparations Commission tasked with studying the after-effects of slavery in New York and making nonbinding recommendations.
• Enacting the Build Public Renewables Act and Climate Superfund Act.
• Enacting the NY HEAT Act.
• Passing the Equal Rights Amendment for the second time, codifying reproductive care and gender equality in New York State.
• Allocating $1.3 billion for asylum seeker support. 
• Increasing the minimum wage to $17 per hour over the next three years before tying it to inflation. (budget) 
• Expanding eligibility for the Empire State Child Tax Credit, so that hundreds of thousands of families will now qualify (Budget) 
• Expanding eligibility for free or reduced-price child care to more families. (Budget) 
• $1.2 billion for Universal Pre-Kindergarten.
• $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program.
• $25 million for a First-Time Homeowners Program.
• $391 million to cover Covid-era rent arrears for NYCHA and Section 8 tenants.