NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Grilled on Taxpayer-Funded Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

• 🎯 Brad Lander was questioned about the use of taxpayer money for healthcare premiums for New York State residents no longer living in the state.
• 💡 Lander stated he had not seen the report but would review it, acknowledging the potential financial impact on New York City.
• ✅ When asked if he supports using taxpayer money for healthcare for undocumented immigrants, Lander responded with a qualified "yes," emphasizing the benefit of primary care over costly emergency room visits.
• 🏥 He clarified that while emergency room care is legally mandated and provided regardless of status, his support is for a primary care approach.

Financial Contributions and City Costs

• 💰 Lander highlighted that undocumented individuals contribute billions in taxes and revenue to New York City and State.
• ⚠️ He acknowledged the significant strain on New York City due to hundreds of thousands of migrants arriving, a point previously stated by the mayor.

Political Affiliations and Stances

• 💬 Lawler inquired about Lander's past self-description as a "Brooklyn Jewish Democratic socialist" and his relationship with the Working Families Party (WFP) and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
• 🤝 Lander confirmed membership and donor status with the WFP and membership with the DSA, but not specifically the NYC chapter.
• ⚖️ He expressed support for some DSA-proposed policies like raising the minimum wage, but opposed others, such as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

Israel and BDS Stance

• ❌ Lander stated he opposes BDS and that New York City's pension funds have over $300 million invested in Israeli companies.
• 🏦 He explained that the city does not hold Israeli bonds, similar to not holding foreign bonds from other countries, due to his fiduciary obligation.
• ❓ When pressed on whether Israeli bond investments violate NYC values, Lander stated his job as controller is not to assess that, and his time expired before a direct answer could be fully given.