Affordable health care in NY? There’s a bill for that
The New York Health Act S3425/A1466 presents a comprehensive, single-payer plan providing quality care to all New Yorkers, regardless of income, wealth or employment status. This bill includes all medically necessary care: prescriptions and medical supplies, all preventative care and well child visits, dental, hearing and vision services, ER visits and ambulance services, prenatal care and long-term care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, hospital care, surgeries, worker’s compensation and motor vehicle accident health care services and palliative care.
The NYHA would be based on ability to pay through a progressively graduated payroll-based tax and by a progressively graduated tax based on other non-payroll taxable income, such as capital gains, interest and dividends. Federal funds received for Medicare, Medicaid, Family Health and Child Health Plus would be combined with the state revenue in a New York Health Trust Fund. This trust fund would be the only payer for health care services in NY.
Imagine health insurance without networks, premiums, deductibles or co-pays. Imagine lower property taxes because Medicaid is folded into this plan. Imagine less time spent researching Medicare plans every fall. Call your legislators to support the New York Health Act.
Peter Raia
Endicott
Ballrooms, reflecting pools, wars? Where are our tax dollars going next?
Evidently we average Americans are paying too much in federal taxes. We can spend tax money on frivolous vanity projects: $13 million to repaint the reflecting pool, now; $1 billion for a ballroom that 99.9% of us will never enter, and billions on a war of choice, of which there is no plan to resolve. Just a “concept” of a plan, like the one for healthcare from years ago.
I need $5,000 for repairs to my house. This is not for a vanity project, but necessary, and less than my yearly federal tax. I know I’m not alone in a need like this, but it is frustrating and angering that I have to wait for my repair, while my tax money is just being spent for things that only benefits a small fraction of the rich.
When is the average American going to be recognized and get some help?
Lorraine Juriga
Binghamton
Langworthy continues to fail us financially
Rep. Nicholas Langworthy talks about giving taxpayers more money in their pockets because of July’s Budget Bill. What he means is some money will be returned to taxpayers. A website that tracks Langworthy’s statements, votes and actions using publicly available government records shows the average 2026 tax refund is approximately $300-$1,000.
If people did not change their withholding amounts last July, refunds are higher than in 2025. However, not everyone will receive tax cuts and overall amounts may be smaller than anticipated.
The cost-of-living increase outweighs the highest average tax refund. Tariff costs and the Iran war have raised the average yearly household costs by approximately $2,000.
Another area where Langworthy misleads is the Rural Health Transformation Act. The amount allotted to rural hospitals, $5 billion over five years, is not enough to support rural hospitals. Although there is a set amount designated to hospitals, additional money will be approved based on need and workload. There are concerns about inequities. Twenty-nine hospitals in NYS (outside of NYC and Long Island) are facing closure. Eight of those hospitals are in Langworthy’s District 23.
Debra Jones
Apalachin
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: What’s on the mind of Press & Sun readers? Money, money, money | Letters
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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