S580A

The New York State Senate passed S580A, legislation to allow Medicaid reimbursement for community violence prevention programs, by a vote of 57-4. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, would fund programs that place social workers and trained community members in hospital emergency rooms and communities to deescalate conflicts and interrupt cycles of violence. Hoylman-Sigal cited statistics showing 1,000 New Yorkers die annually from gun violence and noted that violence interruption programs have reduced community gun violence by 60 percent in New York. He stated the approach has succeeded in over 30 jurisdictions across 19 states and has been endorsed by the President of the United States. Senators Borrello, Helming, O'Mara, and Ortt voted against the measure.