Healthcare in this district is deeply personal — especially for those of us who lived through 9/11 and are still living with its consequences today.

Nearly nine months pregnant and living just blocks from Ground Zero, I watched as dust and debris filled my home and my neighborhood. My children developed chronic pulmonary issues. Years later, the toxic aftermath claimed both of my parents to 9/11-related cancer. I am a survivor, and like so many in this community, I continue to face ongoing health challenges because of that exposure.

That experience didn’t just shape my life — it became my life’s work. No one in this district should have to fight alone for the care they deserve.

Healthcare should be accessible, comprehensive, and equitable — for every New Yorker, regardless of income, background, or circumstance.

What I’ve Done

I’ve worked to expand access to care and ensure that those impacted by 9/11 — and beyond — get the support they deserve.

• Delivered healthcare and compensation to over 140,000 participants enrolled in the WTC Health Program

• As a member of the WTC STAC, helped to deliver coverage for all types of cancer, including female-specific cancers not already covered

• Helped create a youth cohort to follow those who were minors or in utero on 9/11

• Helped lobby for benefits for first responders, plus teachers, students, and office workers downtown who were exposed to the same toxins

These efforts have helped ensure that the full scope of those impacted by 9/11 are recognized, covered, and cared for.

What I Will Do

We need to strengthen our healthcare system so it works for everyone — especially the most vulnerable.

• Fully fund Medicaid to benefit:

  • Seniors (specifically those in nursing homes and rehab centers)

  • Children (specifically those with special needs in public schools)

  • Low-income and underemployed New Yorkers

  • Part-time employees without health benefits

• Work to allow for an end to the 24-hour workday — without unintended harm to nonprofits and government agencies

• Ensure that women’s reproductive care, and women’s healthcare in general, is protected

• Eliminate healthcare disparities across racial and cultural lines

• Protect LGBTQIA+ healthcare, including access to transitional care