ALBANY, NY — As millions of New Yorkers struggle to access basic medical care due to the shortage of primary care providers across the state, the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) and the New York State Primary Care Coalition today announced growing momentum for the Primary Care Investment Act (S1634/A1915A), with several new legislators signing on as co-sponsors in both the Senate and Assembly.
The legislation has secured the support of new Senate co-sponsors including Senator Sutton, Senator Gonzalez, and Senator Serrano, as well as new Assembly co-sponsors Assemblymember Wright, Assemblymember Levenberg, Assemblymember Raga, Assemblymember Cruz, Assemblymember Lee, and Assemblymember Simon.
The Primary Care Investment Act is designed to strengthen New York’s healthcare system by increasing investment in primary care, improving access to preventive services, and advancing health equity across communities statewide.
The new co-sponsors join the chairs of both the Senate and Assembly Committees on Health, Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Amy Paulin, in supporting the bill.
“Primary care in New York is dangerously underfunded, and the consequences are already being felt. Patients are delaying care because they cannot get appointments, leading to more costly medical emergencies down the road. The growing support for the Primary Care Investment Act reflects a recognition that our communities are at risk,” said Aparna Mekala, Chief Executive Officer, Primary Care Development Corporation. “We are grateful to these legislators for their leadership and commitment to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to high-quality healthcare. We look forward to continuing to build support and moving this critical legislation forward.”
“Primary care plays a critical role in prevention and the early detection of illness. Unfortunately, it continues to be underfunded, affecting the well-being of our communities. Therefore, I’m very proud that more of my colleagues have become co-sponsors of my Primary Care Investment Act, which will ensure insurers increase their investment in primary care—particularly in light of the substantial federal healthcare funding cuts,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and sponsor of the bill. “I urge my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly, as well as the Executive to support my bill and finally change the current situation that leaves too many New Yorkers without proper care.”
“Primary care is the foundation of our health care system, but it has been underfunded for far too long,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin. “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.”
“Primary care providers are the first line of defense in keeping our families healthy, but they are often undervalued and underfunded,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “I’m proud to support the Primary Care Investment Act to require insurers to report how much of their spending is on primary care, and to increase their spending to at least 12.5%. Thank you to Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Amy Paulin for their leadership on this legislation.”
“Primary care is one of the smartest investments we can make in the health of our communities. When people have access to preventive care, we catch issues earlier, manage chronic conditions more effectively, and reduce the need for costly emergency care,” said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg. “However, many New Yorkers don’t have access to a primary care provider, which means they get sicker and turn to expensive care like emergency room visits. These avoidable costs stack up for families and taxpayers alike. The Primary Care Investment Act will help rebalance our system so that we are investing in keeping New Yorkers healthy, not just treating them when they are sick. At a time when the federal government is retreating from public health, New York must step up.“
“Too many working families in Western Queens and across New York still struggle to access basic primary care, and when they do, the consequences are serious: delayed diagnoses, worsening conditions, and preventable trips to the emergency room,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga. “We have to invest upstream in the care that keeps people healthy in the first place. The Primary Care Investment Act is about building a fairer health care system that expands access, improves outcomes, and makes sure every New Yorker, regardless of ZIP code, income, or background, can get the care they need.”
“Throughout Buffalo and all of New York, it has become nearly impossible to find a timely primary care appointment. The providers who remain feel this pressure too, contributing to burn out and the health care workforce crisis,” said Assembly Member Jonathan Rivera. The Primary Care Investment Act would not only ensure that primary care receives an adequate investment, but our health care dollars are spent in the most efficient way. This will expand access to vital primary care services that create healthier communities.”
New York continues to face significant gaps in access to primary care, particularly in rural and historically underserved communities. The Primary Care Invest Act would help address these challenges by increasing the share of healthcare spending dedicated to primary care—an evidence-based approach to improving health outcomes, lowering long-term costs, and reducing disparities in care.
PCDC, alongside a broad coalition of partners, is working closely with lawmakers, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations to advance the legislation during the current legislative session.
Health leaders and advocates warn that without sustained investment in the primary care workforce and delivery infrastructure, many communities across the state will continue to encounter barriers to essential health services. Strengthening primary care is critical to ensuring timely, preventive, and coordinated care for all New Yorkers.
Robust investment in primary care has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce overall healthcare spending, lower rates of avoidable hospitalizations, and build a more resilient and effective health system.
Despite its central role, primary care remains underfunded nationwide. The United States currently allocates just 5–7% of total healthcare spending to primary care, even though it accounts for roughly 35% of all healthcare visits annually. In New York alone, more than 4.8 million residents live in federally designated primary care shortage areas, and 66% report delaying needed medical care due to cost.
For more information, please visit https://www.primarycareforny.org/
PCDC Media Contact:
Emily Frizzell
efrizzell@pcdc.org / 212-437-3933