Gustavo Rivera (D), candidate for state senator in District 33 in the northeast corner of the Bronx, promised to halt the state's budget cuts to healthcare and to make sure that reform gets properly implemented and benefits the Latino community.
Rivera, who is running against Pedro Espada (D) in the primaries on September 14, said that if elected, he will advocate for living-wage salaries for healthcare professionals, as well as an increase in preventive medicine programs, such as those that target obesity and diabetes.
"Working families in the Latino community worry daily about how they are going to pay for the medical care they need. Simultaneously, doctors and nurses worry about not having the resources to care for their patients. And everyone is concerned by the lack of effective leadership in Albany," Rivera criticized.
The candidate presented his plan called "Healthcare for Everyone," with support from representatives of the 1199/SEIU unions, the SEIU Committee of Interns and Residents, and the New York State Nurses Association.
"We need leaders that are going to put healthcare first and will never jeopardize our community for their personal benefit. Rivera's plan is exactly what we need to keep the Bronx healthy and our community strong," said George Gresham, president of the 1199/SEIU union.
To gather funding for these goals when the state is nearly going bankrupt, Rivera proposes raising taxes for people earning more than $500,000 a year and eliminating unnecessary costs, as well as ending tax evasion.
"We need to cut back on our spending on Medicare and Medicaid, and wipe out tax evasion. By some estimates, this costs New York taxpayers more than $5 billion a year. In New York City, taxpayers lose more than $2 billion because of tax evasion, and the Bronx loses $376 million," he explained.
Another battle
Luis Sepúlveda (D) also laid out his ideas. He is running against Assemblyman Peter Rivera (D), who has represented District 76 for 18 years. Sepúlveda's proposals include establishing recreation centers for youth to fight the high crime rate. Possible locations include Mercy College and other commercial centers in the area.
Sepúlveda also vowed to push for re-installing the Number 14 bus line and to maintain the upkeep of senior centers like the Rain Senior Center in Westchester.
