February 4, 2025

One Step Closer to a Healthier New York

The New York State legislature has taken an important first step toward increasing access to primary care and improving health outcomes for every New Yorker.

Earlier this month, Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assembly Member Amy Paulin reintroduced the Primary Care Investment Act (S1634/A1915A), which, if enacted, will (1) measure the current level of primary care spending in the state by private and public insurers, (2) require state agencies to make that spending publicly available in annual reports, and (3) require insurers that report less than 12.5% of their overall health spending on primary care to increase their spending by 1% each year until they reach that target. The funds mandated through this increase must be spent on supporting primary care services daily and strengthening the state’s primary care infrastructure.

Today, S1634 passed through the Senate Health Committee. We thank Senator Rivera and others on the Health Committee for their tireless efforts, and we encourage their colleagues on the Assembly to do the same and for the full legislature to pass this important legislation, which will help make primary care access a reality for every New Yorker in every community.