D Sen. Gustavo Rivera

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.