Statement from New York City Commissioners on Health Coverage for All - MOIA

Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs


Press Release


Statement from New York City Commissioners on Health Coverage for All

March 28, 2022

Commissioner Manuel Castro of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, M.D., PhD from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Mitchell Katz, M.D., President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals today released the following statement in response to immigration-related changes to Essential Plan eligibility in the NYS Budget:

“We applaud the inclusion of changes to Essential Plan eligibility related to immigration status in the New York State Assembly and Senate budget bills.”

“Over the past two years, immigrant New Yorkers have put their health on the line as they worked as essential workers during the height of the pandemic. The changes to the Essential Plan eligibility will allow low-income New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, to access the health insurance they need to improve their personal, physical, and mental wellbeing.”

“As City agencies tasked with promoting the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers, including immigrants, we urge the Governor and the Legislature to include these changes in the final New York State budget and continue to lead the nation in recognizing healthcare as a human right.”