Reimagining Healthcare:
The New York Health Act
& The Movement for Universal Healthcare

Join us for an engaging and informative discussion of the New York Health Act, our state's statewide universal, single-payer healthcare bill that will provide guaranteed, comprehensive healthcare for everyone who lives or works full time in New York. As healthcare costs continue to rise, disparities persist and dangerous cuts at the federal level loom, understanding this groundbreaking legislation is more important than ever. This session will provide a detailed overview of what the bill covers, how it was developed, and the ways it has evolved over time to address the needs of New Yorkers. We will also examine its current status in the legislative process, the challenges it faces, and what comes next for healthcare reform in the state.

Reimagining Healthcare: The New York Health Act & The Movement for Universal Healthcare

Monday, April 21, 2025
5:30PM-7:00PM
Via Zoom - Closed Captions provided
RSVP: www.bit.ly/IthacaNYHA

Beyond policy details, this discussion will highlight the critical role of advocacy in shaping the future of healthcare and the intersection of the NY Health Act with housing and racial justice. We will explore how students, healthcare workers, and activists across New York and beyond have successfully organized and mobilized to support single-payer healthcare—and how you can join the movement. Whether you're new to the fight for universal healthcare or a seasoned advocate looking to deepen your impact, this conversation will offer valuable insights, actionable strategies, and inspiration to drive meaningful change. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and take action in the fight for just, affordable and equitable healthcare for all!

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Betty Kolod, MD, MPH is an internist and preventive medicine physician, teaching and practicing drug user health in Manhattan.  She trained at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, the Montefiore Primary Care Social Internal Medicine Residency, and the Mount Sinai Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency, of which she is now associate director. Her advocacy and organizing work include her role as Chair of the board of Physicians for a National Health Program-NY Metro Chapter, leadership of NY Doctors Coalition, a group that fosters health worker engagement in community-led social justice work, and on the Health Justice Steering Committee of Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. 

Anuj Rao, MD is a primary care doctor at Elmhurst Hospital. He is from Queens, NY and is currently the Medical Director of the Elmhurst Safety Net Clinic and Street Medicine Program. 

Retired Assembly Member Dick Gottfried served as a Member of the New York State Assembly from Manhattan, elected in 1970 while in law school.  He retired in December 2022.  Since 1987, he chaired the Assembly Committee on Health. He wrote and sponsored the NY Health Act to create a universal “improved Medicare for all” single-payer health plan for New York State. He is a board member of the PNHP-NY Metro and Community Service Society.

MODERATOR:

Cameron White is a current first-year graduate student in Cornell's Sloan program pursuing his Master's degree in Health Administration. His Cornell undergraduate degree is in Health Care Policy with minors in Health Equity and Human-Centered Design. Hailing from Atlanta, GA, Cameron is driven to provide health equity to historically marginalized populations through policy, administration, programming, and strategy, with a particular interest in improving outcomes in maternal health. His research interests include demography, food insecurity, housing policy, and youth development/education.