Sen. Gustavo Rivera

Lead exposure is harmful to children and can cause permanent brain damage. The bill mandates creation of an inventory of lead service lines, which is a critical first step in removing lead pipes and ensuring safe drinking water for all New Yorkers.

Argued that the bill is essential to address inadequate reimbursement rates for durable medical equipment providers under Medicaid managed care, which has caused over 20 percent of providers to close and left patients without access to vital equipment. The measure ensures providers are paid at least 100 percent of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate.

The bill establishes an ombudsman and advisory panel for the Medical Indemnity Fund to help parents of children with birth-related neurological injuries access support and ensure the state keeps its commitment to provide lifelong care for these children.

The bill redirects existing healthcare spending to increase primary care funding to at least 12.5 percent of total spending. This investment would identify chronic conditions earlier and save money over time, addressing the fact that 4.7 million New Yorkers live in primary care shortage areas.

The bill would permanently carve school-based health centers out of Medicaid managed care, ensuring continuity of care for thousands of children. Centers have already begun closing when transitions were announced, and permanent carve-out status would prevent further closures.

The bill creates a community board review process for auto body shops in New York City, similar to liquor license procedures, addressing safety and sanitation concerns on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. Rivera stated the measure has support from responsible shop owners and is not anti-small business.

Sponsor argued the bill addresses critical health needs for formerly incarcerated individuals during their vulnerable reentry period, providing presumptive Medicaid eligibility to ensure continuity of care and reduce overdose deaths. He noted the measure requires federal approval but directs the state to pursue it.

Rivera stated the bill is smart and necessary, and clarified that it only applies to New York City, making it appropriate policy to pursue.

Explained that the bill was developed in response to the death of Nicholas Feliz-Dominici from fentanyl exposure at a daycare in his district. The legislation provides training for childcare staff and inspectors, and establishes parental rights to inspect childcare facilities to prevent future tragedies.

Argued the bill is thoroughly thought through with multiple safeguards including two independent physician determinations under penalty of perjury, and emphasized it gives people in deep pain an opportunity to transition as they see fit.

The bill addresses the reality that bad actors in the financial sector lend money with the purpose of suing. It does not harm good-faith lenders seeking repayment, only prevents predatory actors from lending to countries knowing they will sue for more than legitimate returns.

Sponsor argued the bill creates necessary standard procedures for community impact assessment when hospitals close, noting it passed nearly unanimously last year and the Governor's promised administrative action has not occurred.

Sponsor defended the budget's Medicaid investments as necessary to stabilize vulnerable populations' coverage and addressed questions about MCO tax allocation, fraud prevention, and various healthcare provisions.

The bill addresses concerns raised by Community Board 6 in the Bronx about auto body shops blocking sidewalks on Jerome Avenue. It requires such shops to obtain community board approval, similar to liquor license procedures, ensuring community input without preventing business operations.

Noted the bill has passed the Assembly for several years and represents the first Senate passage. Stressed that communities deserve a say when hospitals close and that the bill establishes a statewide standard for community notification and stakeholder engagement, addressing hospital closure issues across New York from the City to Long Island, the North Country, and Western New York.

The bill responds to cases against Robert Hadden by fundamentally changing how the Office of Professional Medical Conduct conducts investigations, establishes zero tolerance policies, requires hospital patient notifications, and manages conflicts of interest in misconduct cases.

The sponsor argued the state is already spending $428 million in state funds on emergency care for undocumented immigrants and should seek federal funds through the 1332 waiver to provide Essential Plan coverage instead. He emphasized the bill includes authority for the Department of Health to limit enrollment and that federal correspondence indicates willingness to grant the waiver.

Characterized the budget as 'harm reduction' and a compromise necessary after 18 days of negotiations, defending the outcomes while acknowledging much more work remains on opioid crisis response and other issues.

Argued that incarcerated people are still people and members of society who will return to communities, and that family connections are essential to preventing recidivism.

Voted reluctantly in favor, expressing belief in public financing while acknowledging imperfections in the bill, trusting the process and hoping future tweaks will improve the program.

Praised the bill as representing a shift from punitive policies toward a criminal legal system that believes in redemption, calling it a beautiful day for the Democratic majority.

Sponsor argued this is a win-win-win: undocumented New Yorkers would gain healthcare access, the state would save money on Emergency Medicaid, and federal funds would flow to the state with no state cost. Emphasized that undocumented residents are New Yorkers who pay taxes ($3.6 billion in 2019) and are already here; the bill simply seeks to provide preventative care instead of emergency room visits.

Explained that the extension preserves the state's authority to capture profits when health insurance companies with significant public funding are sold. Noted that funds must be used for healthcare-related purposes including capital investment, debt retirement, housing, and social determinants of health.

Supported the bill as a justified moral and political stand against for-profit prisons, which he characterized as profiting from incarceration of predominantly Black and brown poor people. Argued preventing state institutions from profiting from private prisons is a positive outcome.

Noted that B.R.A.G. operates in both his and Sen. Bailey's districts under David Caba's leadership. Stated that violence interrupters with community credibility are essential investments for stopping violence, citing B.R.A.G. catchment areas that experienced no shootings for over a year.

Described the bill as common sense and called for passage of good-cause eviction legislation to prevent unnecessary evictions.

Supported the bill for no tuition increases at CUNY/SUNY, TAP gap reduction, and increased funding for zoos and botanical gardens, though noted missed opportunities on overdose prevention centers.

As Health Committee chair and bill sponsor, defended the budget as the best achievable through negotiation, emphasizing investments in mental health ($1 billion), harm reduction approaches to opioid crisis, and historic COLA increases for human service agencies after years of austerity.