Skip to content

J. Gustavo Rivera

Democratic · NY · New York State Senator, District 33; Chair, Health Committee

Official website

Bronx state senator and Health Committee chair focused on healthcare access, medical debt, maternal coverage, opioid and overdose prevention, safe staffing, and criminal-justice policy.

Where J. Gustavo Rivera stands, based on their records

Supports

Healthcare Affordability (23 records), Environment and Public Health (6 records), Reduce Wealth Gap (1 record),

Opposes

Government Spending Reduction (4 records)

Campaign finance information not available

Track record

Track record — Healthcare Affordability

Healthcare Affordability · 23 support
  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2026–27 state budget, including school health-center protections, provider-rate increases, childcare expansion, and immigrant safeguards.

    May 28, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored the Safe Access to Care Act to protect healthcare facilities and workers who lawfully decline unauthorized immigration-enforcement access.

    May 18, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Introduced legislation preserving Essential Plan coverage for people facing federal funding cuts, including state-funded coverage for some lawfully present immigrants.

    March 26, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Introduced the Oversight of Health Programs Act to let legislative leaders obtain records from private contractors running publicly funded health programs.

    March 19, 2026Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers preserving Medicaid payment for school-based health centers outside managed care; the governor vetoed it.

    October 16, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored and won Senate passage of the New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act, authorizing state partnerships to produce lower-cost generic drugs.

    May 28, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored the current New York Health Act to create universal single-payer health coverage for New York residents.

    January 27, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored the Safer Consumption Services Act to authorize regulated overdose-prevention centers with medical and support services.

    January 8, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring notice and public engagement before a hospital or key care unit closes; the governor later vetoed it.

    December 13, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers creating a three-year pilot to acquire and cancel eligible New Yorkers' hospital medical debt.

    June 7, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2024–25 state budget, including health, housing, education, labor, public-safety, and environmental appropriations.

    April 21, 2024Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act, which bars medical debt from consumer credit reports and voids debt improperly reported.

    December 13, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored the enacted New York State Living Donor Support Act, providing financial support to people who donate an organ.

    December 29, 2022Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring advance notice of facility fees and whether insurance will cover them.

    June 3, 2022Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers barring healthcare providers from using home liens or wage garnishment to collect medical debt.

    May 10, 2022Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Helped enact a state-budget expansion providing Medicaid coverage for a full year after pregnancy, including for undocumented mothers.

    April 9, 2022Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law setting minimum daily nursing-care hours for nursing-home residents and penalties for noncompliance.

    June 18, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law requiring every general hospital to establish a clinical staffing committee and implement an annual staffing plan.

    June 18, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers creating a pathway for licensed midwifery birth centers to operate in New York.

    June 16, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law strengthening disclosure and review requirements for prospective nursing-home owners and operators.

    June 16, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law establishing safety standards for discharging or transferring people from nursing homes.

    June 16, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Voted for the 2021–22 state budget, including restored Medicaid funding, no-premium Essential Plan coverage, and nursing-home direct-care spending rules.

    April 7, 2021Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Became the lead Senate sponsor of the New York Health Act to establish comprehensive statewide single-payer health coverage.

    March 1, 2018Supports Healthcare Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Environment and Public Health

Environment and Public Health · 6 support
  • Prime-sponsored the Safer Consumption Services Act to authorize regulated overdose-prevention centers with medical and support services.

    January 8, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring public disclosure of lead service-line locations in drinking-water systems.

    June 10, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored enacted amendments requiring opioid-settlement spending to follow settlement terms and revising the state advisory board.

    March 18, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law dedicating opioid-lawsuit and enforcement proceeds to substance-use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.

    June 5, 2021Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law banning smoking within 100 feet of educational institutions while after-school programs are operating.

    August 13, 2015Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law banning smoking within 100 feet of public and private school entrances, exits, and outdoor areas.

    September 5, 2012Supports Environment and Public Health

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Reduce Wealth Gap

Reduce Wealth Gap · 1 support
  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers creating a three-year pilot to acquire and cancel eligible New Yorkers' hospital medical debt.

    June 7, 2024Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Labor Rights

Labor Rights · 3 support
  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers barring healthcare providers from using home liens or wage garnishment to collect medical debt.

    May 10, 2022Supports Labor Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law setting minimum daily nursing-care hours for nursing-home residents and penalties for noncompliance.

    June 18, 2021Supports Labor Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law requiring every general hospital to establish a clinical staffing committee and implement an annual staffing plan.

    June 18, 2021Supports Labor Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Government Efficiency

Government Efficiency · 3 support
  • Introduced the Oversight of Health Programs Act to let legislative leaders obtain records from private contractors running publicly funded health programs.

    March 19, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring public disclosure of lead service-line locations in drinking-water systems.

    June 10, 2023Supports Government Efficiency

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law requiring corrections officials to answer family questions and provide a preliminary death certificate after an incarcerated person dies.

    November 29, 2016Supports Government Efficiency

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Government Spending Reduction

Government Spending Reduction · 4 oppose
  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2026–27 state budget, including school health-center protections, provider-rate increases, childcare expansion, and immigrant safeguards.

    May 28, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Introduced legislation preserving Essential Plan coverage for people facing federal funding cuts, including state-funded coverage for some lawfully present immigrants.

    March 26, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2024–25 state budget, including health, housing, education, labor, public-safety, and environmental appropriations.

    April 21, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Voted for the 2021–22 state budget, including restored Medicaid funding, no-premium Essential Plan coverage, and nursing-home direct-care spending rules.

    April 7, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control

Public Safety and Crime Control · 4 support
  • Sponsored the Safe Access to Care Act to protect healthcare facilities and workers who lawfully decline unauthorized immigration-enforcement access.

    May 18, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored the Safer Consumption Services Act to authorize regulated overdose-prevention centers with medical and support services.

    January 8, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring certified language interpretation for parole-board interviews when needed.

    June 15, 2016Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored and won Senate passage of legislation allowing nonprofit charitable organizations to post bail for people who could not afford it.

    June 21, 2011Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Housing Affordability

Housing Affordability · 3 support
  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2024–25 state budget, including health, housing, education, labor, public-safety, and environmental appropriations.

    April 21, 2024Supports Housing Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers barring healthcare providers from using home liens or wage garnishment to collect medical debt.

    May 10, 2022Supports Housing Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law allowing Catholic Guardian Services to use a Bronx property for housing and services for people with developmental disabilities.

    August 21, 2017Supports Housing Affordability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Social Programs and Welfare

Social Programs and Welfare · 5 support
  • Voted for all 10 bills in the 2026–27 state budget, including school health-center protections, provider-rate increases, childcare expansion, and immigrant safeguards.

    May 28, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored the enacted New York State Living Donor Support Act, providing financial support to people who donate an organ.

    December 29, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law establishing safety standards for discharging or transferring people from nursing homes.

    June 16, 2021Supports Social Programs and Welfare

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Voted for the 2021–22 state budget, including restored Medicaid funding, no-premium Essential Plan coverage, and nursing-home direct-care spending rules.

    April 7, 2021Supports Social Programs and Welfare

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law allowing Catholic Guardian Services to use a Bronx property for housing and services for people with developmental disabilities.

    August 21, 2017Supports Social Programs and Welfare

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Public Education Quality

Public Education Quality · 1 support
  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers preserving Medicaid payment for school-based health centers outside managed care; the governor vetoed it.

    October 16, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Women's Reproductive Rights

Women's Reproductive Rights · 2 support
  • Helped enact a state-budget expansion providing Medicaid coverage for a full year after pregnancy, including for undocumented mothers.

    April 9, 2022Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers creating a pathway for licensed midwifery birth centers to operate in New York.

    June 16, 2021Supports Women's Reproductive Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Civil Rights

Civil Rights · 6 support
  • Sponsored the Safe Access to Care Act to protect healthcare facilities and workers who lawfully decline unauthorized immigration-enforcement access.

    May 18, 2026Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Introduced legislation preserving Essential Plan coverage for people facing federal funding cuts, including state-funded coverage for some lawfully present immigrants.

    March 26, 2026Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Helped enact a state-budget expansion providing Medicaid coverage for a full year after pregnancy, including for undocumented mothers.

    April 9, 2022Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law requiring corrections officials to answer family questions and provide a preliminary death certificate after an incarcerated person dies.

    November 29, 2016Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring certified language interpretation for parole-board interviews when needed.

    June 15, 2016Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored and won Senate passage of legislation allowing nonprofit charitable organizations to post bail for people who could not afford it.

    June 21, 2011Supports Civil Rights

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Track record — Corporate Accountability

Corporate Accountability · 10 support
  • Introduced the Oversight of Health Programs Act to let legislative leaders obtain records from private contractors running publicly funded health programs.

    March 19, 2026Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored and won Senate passage of the New York Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act, authorizing state partnerships to produce lower-cost generic drugs.

    May 28, 2025Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Prime-sponsored the current New York Health Act to create universal single-payer health coverage for New York residents.

    January 27, 2025Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring notice and public engagement before a hospital or key care unit closes; the governor later vetoed it.

    December 13, 2024Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored the Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act, which bars medical debt from consumer credit reports and voids debt improperly reported.

    December 13, 2023Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored legislation that passed both chambers requiring advance notice of facility fees and whether insurance will cover them.

    June 3, 2022Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored enacted amendments requiring opioid-settlement spending to follow settlement terms and revising the state advisory board.

    March 18, 2022Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law strengthening disclosure and review requirements for prospective nursing-home owners and operators.

    June 16, 2021Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Sponsored a law dedicating opioid-lawsuit and enforcement proceeds to substance-use prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.

    June 5, 2021Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

  • Became the lead Senate sponsor of the New York Health Act to establish comprehensive statewide single-payer health coverage.

    March 1, 2018Supports Corporate Accountability

    Source: nysenate.gov · researched September 12, 2026

Race J. Gustavo Rivera is in:

Profile last researched September 12, 2026.