PRESS RELEASES

Saratoga Springs, NY – As, Congress continues to negotiate health care reform legislation in both houses and the House of Representatives prepares for a possible floor vote as soon as next week, the Health Care for America Now Capital District coalition will be holding a press conference to support a strong income tax “surcharge” on the wealthy in health care reform legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives, rather than taxing health benefits of middle class families. At the press conference, two studies will be released that together show health insurance is becoming increasingly unaffordable in New York, and that the surcharge as originally proposed would address the issue of affordability without raising taxes on average New Yorkers.

Albany, NY – Today, Citizen Action of New York as a part of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) – the nation’s largest health care campaign – released a report showing how communities of color are adversely affected by our nation’s broken health care system and emphasized the need for comprehensive health care reform that corrects this injustice.

Albany – New York small business owners want real health reform, are willing to contribute, and want the option of a public health insurance plan. These are the surprising findings of the report The Pulse of Main Street New Yorkt: Small Businesses, Health Insurance, and Views on Reform released Thursday in Albany by New York Small Business United for Health Care.

Albany – Voters, advocates and faith leaders from around New York massed at the State Capitol today to demand that a “voters majority” rather than a “Golisano majority” be restored in the State Senate. The voters said that billionaire Thomas Golisano, who recently changed his official residence to Florida to avoid paying his fair share of New York State taxes, should not be allowed to use his influence to block reforms that residents of New York overwhelmingly voted for last November.

Albany – As the State Senate begins a process of seeking public comment on the shape of public financing elections legislation this week, Citizen Action of New York released a new report today finding that campaign contributions from corporate interests are used to block legislation that would help consumers, tenants and the environment. The report, New Yorkers Pay When Big Money Plays: The Case for Public Financing of Elections, analyzes five bills relating to health care, the environment, rent regulation and ticket scalping, and shows that the nonprofits in favor of passing this common sense legislation were outspent many times over by industries that would be regulated by the legislation.

Albany, NY – In a week in which leading members of Congress will be meeting to put the finishing touches on Congressional budget plans for health care and other vital domestic priorities, area organizations affiliated with the national Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign rallied and went door-to-door today to press Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for all in 2009. Health care reform is facing a crucial Congressional test next week as leaders of both houses meet to put together a final budget outline.

Albany – The day President Obama’s historic budget is expected to pass its first hurdle, Citizen Action of New York, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness and Health Care for America Now joined together to announce New York’s participation in a major national campaign to pass President Barack Obama’s historic budget plan.

“In an extraordinarily difficult budget year, the Governor and legislative leaders took a number of very important steps that will expand coverage to large numbers of New York’s 2.5 million uninsured. The elimination of face-to-face interviews, the asset test and finger-printing for some applicants are commonsense steps that move New York in the direction of encouraging the insured to get necessary medical care rather than treating them like criminals. The Legislature also adopted the Governor’s proposal to authorize the expansion of Family Health Plus to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. We applaud this critical expansion of health coverage, and will add our voice to make sure New York gets the federal approval and funding to make sure that happens. We must all work together now to make sure that Congress passes a quality, universal health care plan, so that all New Yorkers of all income levels are covered.”

Albany, NY – Over the weekend, legislative leaders and the Governor announced compromise on the FY 2009-10 state budget, including a personal income tax increase on the wealthiest New Yorkers. Two new tax brackets will be added, for New Yorkers earning over $300,000 and $500,000 annually, which will result in over $4 billion in sorely needed revenue to assist in closing the $16+ billion deficit.

ALBANY – Hundreds of community members and local leaders gathered on the Capitol steps on Thursday to urge Governor Paterson to meet New York’s budget shortfall by raising state income taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers instead of slashing health care, education and other vital services. Their voices joined a chorus of tens of thousands who participated in 8 rallies across the state from Buffalo to Long Island.

Albany, New York — This morning, Congressman Paul Tonko and Congressional candidate Scott Murphy joined local activists and supporters of Health Care for America Now (HCAN) at the Whitney Young Community Health Center where they signed on to the campaign to win quality, affordable health care for all in 2009. They also used this event to announce their commitment to propel comprehensive health care reform to the top of the Congressional agenda this year.

Albany – Recognizing his dedication to providing health care for all Americans and his experience in creating jobs that will strengthen our economy, Citizen Action of New York has endorsed Scott Murphy in the 20th Congressional District special election.

Albany–Major education advocacy groups were joined by Education Committee Chairwomen Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Senator Suzi Oppenheimer in releasing data showing that 64% of school districts face cuts in excess of $15,000 per classroom with 60 districts facing cuts over $30,000 per classroom. The education organizations called on the state legislature to reject Governor Paterson’s $2.5 billion cut to schools and instead to support Fair Share Tax Reform that would raise taxes on New Yorkers earning over $250,000 a year.

Albany – Citizen Action of New York praised a group of State Senators for introducing today a “Fair Share Tax Reform” bill that would raise more than $6 billion in new revenue by increasing taxes on the 2% of wealthy New Yorkers that make more than $250,000 a year. On a day when the federal economic stimulus bill faces a crucial vote in the U.S. Senate, the social justice organization said that the state must work with the Obama administration to jumpstart the state economy and protect vital state services like education and health care.

Citizen Action of New York today announced its support for Assembly bill A.11838, which would create a property tax circuit breaker that would immediately provide relief from New York’s property tax crisis to homeowners, while ensuring funding for quality education for our children. This solution will be paid for by a small tax increase on the wealthiest New Yorkers.