Albany, NY — On February 3, the New York Primary Care Coalition, alongside representatives from the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), the Community Health Care Association of New York State (CHCANYS), Jericho Road Health Center and Citizen Action of New York, held a day of meetings at the State Capitol to urge legislative leaders and to support and pass the Primary Care Investment Act (S1634/A1915), legislation designed to increase investment in primary care and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the care they need, when and where they need it.
“Access to primary care is the cornerstone of healthy communities. The Primary Care Investment Act (PCIA) is a critical step toward improving health outcomes for New Yorkers.” — Aamir Mansoor, Director of Policy, Primary Care Development Corporation
Advocates and health care providers emphasized that sustained investment in primary care improves health outcomes, lowers overall health care costs, and strengthens communities across the state.
Legislators Voice Support for Primary Care Investment (PCDC)
Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, said:
“Primary care is the foundation of our health care system and is key to prevention and early detection. Our primary care system is underfunded, which undermines the health of our communities. I urge our Senate and Assembly colleagues, along with the Executive, to support the Primary Care Investment Act, so we can increase investment in primary care spending by insurance companies, especially in the face of significant federal healthcare funding cuts.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, said:
“Primary care is the foundation of our health care system, but it has been underfunded for far too long. When people can’t access primary care, they end up sicker and pay more. This bill makes a long overdue investment in care that will lower costs and improve the health of New Yorkers.”
Senator Jeremy Cooney stated:
“Primary care provides the kind of personalized in-depth care that keeps New Yorkers healthier and safer. When we invest in primary care, we reduce overcrowding at our hospitals, catch issues for patients sooner, and provide the kind of care New Yorkers deserve. I’m proud to join my colleagues in support of this bill and will continue to push for more support for primary care offices statewide.”
Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia said:
“As the federal government threatens access to care and shifts costs onto states, New York must double down on what works. The Primary Care Investment Act will not only create a healthier New York; it is a fiscally responsible, evidence-based approach to ensuring health care dollars are spent where they prevent illness rather than pay for avoidable downstream care. Investing in primary care is how we protect patients in our most medically vulnerable communities to avoid far more costly end-stage services down the line. We need this bill now more than ever and I hope my colleagues will join me in pushing this across the finish line.
Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Children & Families, said:
“I am honored and proud to be a co-sponsor of the Primary Care Investment Act. This bill will be a crucial step forward for primary care across New York State and for ensuring access to care for all New Yorkers. For far too long, primary care has been underfunded, with less than a nickel of every dollar allocated for healthcare going to primary care despite it accounting for 35% of healthcare visits. PCIA will change that by requiring 12.5% of all healthcare expenditures to go to primary care services, ensuring reliable funding for primary care. I want to thank Senator Rivera in the Senate and Assemblywoman Paulin for their dedication and efforts to make primary care a primary focus for New York, Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) for its support in advocating this bill and dedication to primary care for all, and to all of our colleagues for their support. Primary care will only continue to be a concern for everyday New Yorkers until we address this. It’s time to ensure New Yorkers have access to the care they deserve.”
About the Primary Care Investment Act
Introduced by Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Chairs of the Health Committees in their respective chambers, the Primary Care Investment Act (S1634/A1915) would put New York State on a path toward more equitable and cost-effective health outcomes by requiring insurers to:
Transform communities of New York and advance health equity
by investing in primary care.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Frizzell
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Primary Care Development Corporation
917-887-3829 | efrizzell@pcdc.org