ALBANY, NY — On Tuesday, April 4, eleven members of Sullivan County Senior Legislative Action Committee (SLAC,) citizens ranging in age from 30-something to 89, headed up to Albany for the New York Health Act (NYHA) Lobby Day.  First, they gathered in the Emmanuel Baptist Church for coffee and appointment information, and then marched over to the capitol to join their representatives and leaders in health care for a rally. 

The New York Health Act has been passed by the State Assembly twice during the past two years, and now there are 30 Senate votes in favor of this single payer health care bill – very close to the 32 votes needed for it to pass. Dick Gottfried, the assemblyman who has submitted and supported this legislation since 1992, spoke to a loud, enthusiastic crowd – the largest yet – of  over 400 people who travelled by bus, van and car, from all parts of the state. Other speakers included supporting legislators, representatives of New York State Nurses Association, Physicians for a National Health Program, and various health care practitioners.

Following the rally, all the unpaid "citizen lobbyists" headed over to the Legislative Office Building to meet with their senators, to present all the reasons for supporting NYHA, participating in a healthy, vigorous exchange of opinions, and sharing personal stories of health insurance experiences. Everyone left the capitol committed to writing follow-up letters to undecided senators and continuing to push for a health care plan that will cover all New Yorkers and save money all around.

NYHA would cover all New York residents regardless of income level, and would do away with co-pays and deductibles and insurance companies. Details can be found at www.nyhcampaign.org.