NYC launches $100M universal health insurance program

New York City on Tuesdaylaunched a $100-million US health insurance program to cover 600,000 uninsured city residents, including those unable toafford coverage and peopleliving in the United States illegally,Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

The program marks the Democratic mayor's effort to addressthe progressive priority of providing universal health-carecoverage. By extending it to an estimated 300,000 city residentswho are illegal immigrants, it is a thumb in the eye of U.S.President Donald Trump, who has made a migrant crackdown a toppriority.

"From this moment on in New York City everyone is guaranteedthe right to health care," de Blasio said. "We can make ithappen."

Health-care coverage has become a deeply partisan issue inthe United States, with Trump's Republican party pushing torepeal the 2010 Obamacare law while the liberal wing of theDemocratic party has taken up calls to adopt a federally fundedsingle-payer system that would cover all Americans.

The new NYC Care plan, which de Blasio said will be fundedwithout tax increases, is an expansion of the city's existingMetroPlus plan covering hospital bills for low-income residents.

The new plan provides insurance for visits to doctors outside ofhospitals; health experts say access to regular medical visits can cut down on costly hospital stays.

The mayor said all services will be affordable on asliding scale for those who can pay something, and those whocannot afford it will receive care for free.