A bill to extend single-payer health coverage to all residents of St. Lawrence County and the rest of New York state today passed the Assembly, with support from Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa.

Her office says the bill would give all state residents “quality health care coverage without any co-pays or premiums.”

Assemblywoman Jenne has continually been a vocal supporter of the legislation.

“The New York Health Act could mean the difference between life and death for many of our neighbors, loved ones and friends,” Assemblywoman Jenne said in an announcement.

“People shouldn’t have to choose between having food in the fridge and picking up a prescription. They shouldn’t be forced to forgo critical treatment to keep the lights on at home. We need a single-payer system to protect New Yorkers from skyrocketing premiums and insufficient coverage while ensuring everyone gets the care they need.”

The New York Health Act would establish a universal health care system within the state, known as New York Health, that would cover all residents, regardless of wealth, income, age or pre-existing condition, according to Jenne’s office.

Every enrollee would have access to a full range of doctors and services, including inpatient and outpatient care, maternity care, prescription drug costs and dental, vision and hearing care. Out-of-state health care would also be covered, her office said.

Care providers and coordinators would be fully paid by New York Health, with no copays, deductibles or other charges to patients, her office said.

The system would be publicly funded based on a shared 80-20 employer-employee payroll contribution that would be progressive and based on the amount the employee is paid, Jenne’s office said, which she says would “relieve employers of the burdensome administration of health plans.”

The local share of Medicaid would also end, providing New Yorkers with much-needed property tax relief, Jenne’s office said.

"This is a major concern for local government leaders in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties and eliminating the local share of the Medicaid costs would translate into major reductions in the county's portion of local tax bills," Jenne said in a statement.

“Research by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst shows New York could save an estimated $45 billion in the first year alone by implementing a single-payer system and that system would also lower annual health insurance costs for 98 percent of households in the state,” according to Jenne’s office.

The bill will now head to the Senate.