2008-2011 Mayoral State of the City addresses: on Health Care
Bill de Blasio:
Health care is a human right; fight for single-payer
It all starts with health care. Somehow, in the richest city on earth, we have diabetics rationing their insulin. And women who have never had a pap smear. People whose preventable health problems turn into catastrophic ones that end up in an
emergency room and an astronomical bill. Now, thank God Obamacare has driven down the number of uninsured Americans to record lows. But 600,000 New Yorkers still don't have insurance--600,000 people.
My fellow New Yorkers, we're going to fix that, for a very simple reason--we believe health care is a human right.Now, we want people to get it right all over the country. So we need to say yes to Medicare For All in Washington.
We need to say yes to single payer in Albany.
But until they say yes back, New York City will lead the way. We will literally guarantee health care for every single New Yorker.
Source: 2019 State of the City address
Jan 10, 2019
Bill de Blasio:
MetroPlus: public option for every single New Yorker
We will guarantee health care for every single New Yorker. Let me tell you how it works. If you don't have insurance, it's going to be simple. If you're eligible, we'll get you enrolled in the City's public option, MetroPlus and get you a doctor.
We'll get you a doctor at one of our 70 public health centers. And if you're not eligible, like hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, including our undocumented neighbors, we'll take care of you too. It's the right thing to do.
Now, remember, our
public hospitals already treat anyone who walks into an emergency room. But an emergency room is no replacement for comprehensive health care. So this year, Health + Hospitals will launch NYC Care, a sweeping package of health services guaranteed on an
affordable sliding scale to anyone without insurance. And this is quality care: you'll be able to make an appointment, just like someone who has insurance, to see a primary care doctor, or a pediatrician--whatever you need, it will be there.
Source: 2019 State of the City address
Jan 10, 2019
Tom Menino:
Health care is a right, not a privilege
Easing inequities means continuing to reduce disparities in health care. Boston is home to the world's best health care resources, yet some residents still do not share in the miracles performed here. Meanwhile, community health centers operate where
people live, they are at the forefront of health issues, and they provide excellent care. So, we'll launch Neighbor Care. Neighbor Care will increase the use of community health centers-- providing more hours and more services in the neighborhoods.
I am asking our Public Health Commission to team up with hospitals, health insurance companies, and the community health centers to help the centers extend their hours and access. America's first community health center was established on
Dorchester's Columbia's Point. A long tradition across the city continues to this day. While some in Congress now seek to limit access to health care. In Boston, we remember what a good man told us: healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Source: 2011 State of the City Address
Jan 11, 2011
Tom Menino:
State should grant cities power to determine healthcare
Let me address a disparity: The difference between what we pay for city employee health care costs and what we can afford, what private sector neighbors get, and what the State provides to its employees. In this economy, it's tough enough for our
neighbors to cover their own healthcare costs. We should not ask them to cover the vast majority of ours.Our healthcare costs are an enormous strain on an already grim financial situation. Boston taxpayers pay 82% of health care costs for most
City employees. In total, our healthcare costs will reach nearly $300 million next year. The State pays 67% of healthcare costs for new employees. If Boston had the same plan design, we could save $1 million a month. Municipal union leaders can make
this right at the negotiating table. The City Council can make this right by approving my home rule petition for a Boston version of the state's Group Insurance Commission. The State can make this right by granting us the power they gave themselves.
Source: 2011 State of the City Address
Jan 11, 2011
Cory Booker:
Newark Rx: affordable medications for uninsured Newarkers
The health care challenges of Newark and all American cities will continue until federal action is taken, but we will not take this challenge lying down and today we acknowledge a win in the battle for health care justice in Newark.I am truly pleased
tonight to announce Newark Rx, to begin to combat the rising costs of prescription drugs. Newark Rx will create immediate access to affordable medications for thousands of uninsured Newark residents. Newark Rx is the creation of my office, Heinz Family
Philanthropies, PhRMA, and other innovative partners. Several pharmaceutical manufacturers are contributing funding and donating free--FREE--medications for the uninsured. I know through the amazing work of Teresa Heinz and Jeff Lewis of Heinz Family
Philanthropies that more partners will be added and more people who need medications will get them.I am honored tonight to be joined my friend, Chris Heinz, a member of one of America's leading political and philanthropic families.
Source: 2009 State of the City Address at Newark Symphony Hall
Feb 9, 2009
Mike Bloomberg:
Ban trans-fats and replace with fruit & vegetable vendors
Last year, we didn’t just ban trans-fats. We’ve increased the availability of healthy foods in neighborhoods where they are hardest to find and also raised the number of street vendors who sell fruit and vegetables.This year, we will raise the quality
of food served in every City agency--that’s nearly 1.5 million meals every single day of the year. We’ll also continue opening parks and playgrounds in every neighborhood, so that every New Yorker has no more than a 10-minute walk to enjoy them.
Source: 2008 State of the City Address
Jan 17, 2008
Page last updated: Jun 01, 2021
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