September 9, 2009
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON
“This evening, President Obama presented his health care reform plan to the American people. I am encouraged by the President’s message: that the time for health care reform has come. As Governor, I have aggressively expanded access to insurance while slowing the growth of health care costs. However, there are still 2.5 million New Yorkers under 65 years of age without coverage and the State spends over $1 billion annually covering the hospital costs of uninsured individuals.
“President Obama’s bipartisan reform effort seeks to curb the unsustainable growth in the cost of care and will ensure that no one is denied coverage when they get sick. States like New York with robust public programs and strong consumer protections can benefit from a health reform bill that provides increased access to quality, affordable health care while building a 21st century economy. I want to thank the President and our Congressional Delegation for their efforts to enact a stimulus program that enabled New York State to avoid devastating cuts to critical health care services. The President's health care proposals bring further benefit to New York and other states faced with hemorrhaging budget deficits during this historic economic crisis.
“I look forward to working together with the Obama Administration and Congress to advance a sound state-federal partnership that will press our shared goal of ensuring that all New Yorkers and all Americans have access to superior quality affordable care.”
