Legislation proposing to takeover New York’s healthcare system and levy $250 billion in new taxes was foiled by NFIB’s successful grassroots advocacy campaign and the engagement of hundreds of small business owners.

In response to the political pressure to pass government-run, single payer healthcare (the so-called “New York Health Act”), NFIB launched a statewide radio and online ad campaign educating the public, elected officials, and small businesses about the pitfalls of the bill and the costs to taxpayers. Millions of New Yorkers heard and saw NFIB’s ads, and hundreds of small business owners contacted their elected leaders to let them know how bad the New York Health Act is for small businesses.

“Lawmakers from across New York State heard the message loud and clear: $250 billion in new taxes and a healthcare system run by Albany bureaucrats is not the answer,” said NFIB New York State Director Ashley Ranslow. “Small businesses have endured unprecedented economic challenges over the last couple of years: from COVID-related, state-mandated business closures and restrictions to rampant inflation, record high gas prices, and widespread labor shortages, Main Street is at its breaking point. Small business owners want good, affordable healthcare, but the New York Health Act would create a devastating and expensive system with the costs borne by hardworking small business owners. Many lawmakers heard the small business voice and wisely backed away from this legislation.”

Small business owner and NFIB member Chuck Handley, president of Burke’s Home Center in Oswego and Fulton, New York, shared his story in NFIB’s In Their Own Words (ITOW) video series about how government-run, single payer healthcare would impact his business and healthcare for his 25 employees. (Watch the NFIB ITOW video featuring Chuck Handley here: https://vimeo.com/705773982/62859c1d0b). He, like many other small business owners, expressed his concerns about how small businesses could possibly survive hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes.

NFIB’s integrated media, grassroots, member recruitment, and lobbying campaign helped stop the New York Health Act from passage. The bill did advance through the New York State Assembly Health and Codes Committees, but NFIB’s and small business owners’ hard work successfully kept the bill from receiving a floor vote in either the State Assembly or the State Senate. While the bill failed to pass this year, this issue remains a clear and present threat when lawmakers return to Albany. NFIB will continue to be the voice of small business in the State Capitol by opposing this $250 billion, government-run healthcare boondoggle.