Positive Women’s Network – New York City

Positive Women's Network - United States of America (PWN-USA) is a national membership body of women living with HIV working to prepare and involve all women living with HIV, in all our diversity, including gender identity and sexual expression, in all levels of policy and decision-making to improve the quality of women’s lives. PWN-USA applies a gender equity and human rights lens to the HIV epidemic to achieve federal policies grounded in the reality of women’s lived experiences.

Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly increased coverage for people living with HIV through public and private health insurance. However, a great need still exists to expand coverage for people who cannot afford it or who may still be denied coverage for some other reason, including immigration status. Do you support the creation of a universal healthcare system for all U.S. or New York City residents such as Medicare for All?

Yes.

I support the New York Health Act (A4738/S4840), which will provide all medically necessary services to all New York residents through a single public payer.

At the federal level, I support H.R. 676, the Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act, which will provide the same coverage for all residents of the United States.

What is your position on work requirements for Medicaid enrollees? What changes, if any, would you make to the Medicaid program?

I oppose work requirements for Medicaid enrollees.

New York State’ Medicaid program covers undocumented children. It should be expanded to cover undocumented adults as well.

The best way to improve health care for Medicaid users is to eliminate it as a segregated program for low-income people and integrate those users it into a high-quality universal health care program for all by enacting the New York Health Act.

People living with HIV in New York City are subject to outdated stigmatizing criminal laws. Will you support legislation that will help reduce HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination and bring New York laws in Line with current Science and Medical Knowledge?

Yes.

I support policies to ensure all homeless and low-income people living with HIV throughout New York State have medically-appropriate emergency shelter and permanent housing.

I support new funding for the NYS Department of Health’s AIDS Institute to implement a plan developed by the Task Force to End AIDS in New York.

I support licensed and supervised safe injection sites.

I want to legalize marijuana and decriminalize low-level possession and consumption of other illicit drugs and treat these activities as violations. Like Portugal’s decriminalization policy, users should be given a summons to a board consisting of a lawyer, doctor, and social worker who take a health-centered approach. They will determine whether and to what extent the person is addicted and refer that person to a voluntary treatment program or order payment of a fine or other administrative sanctions. Drug trafficking offenses should remain illegal and processed through the criminal justice system.

Do you support public funding for comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion care and HIV prevention services?

Yes.

I support the Reproductive Health Act to decriminalize abortion in the New York penal code and codify the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade into state law.

I support the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act to mandate that all state insurers cover any FDA-approved birth control.

I support restoring funding cuts for homeless youth throughout the state with portions dedicated to specifically support for LGBTQ and HIV-positive youth.

I support the creation of a comprehensive, medically-accurate, and age-appropriate sex education curriculum to be taught in grades 1 through 12 in all public schools.

Do you believe public and private insurance plans should cover the full range of sexual and reproductive and family planning services for people living with HIV, regardless of gender identity?

Yes.

Will you veto any bills that discriminate against transgender people in New York such as “bathroom bills”?

Yes.

I support passage of GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act to prohibit discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming people in education, employment, housing, credit, and public accommodations (including banks, bus stations, court rooms, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, libraries).

Will you oppose coordination between local law enforcement and immigrant enforcement authorities?

Yes.

I favor policies to make New York a Sanctuary State.

I support the Liberty Act that would prohibit state agencies from collecting or sharing an individual’s immigration information with federal agencies.

I support state legislation to prohibit local police and sheriffs from enforcing non-judicial civil immigration warrants issued by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

I support legislation to prohibit the use of public funds in New York State to enforce federal immigration laws.