New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city will spend up to $100 million per year to expand health care coverage to people without health insurance including immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

Essence reports –

According to ABC7NY, the program, called NYC Care, will guarantee health care to all, including the estimated 600,000 people who do not currently have health insurance.

That means that anyone will be able to “access comprehensive care across NYC Health + Hospitals’ more than 70+ locations, once the program is fully ramped up,” a statement from the mayor’s office noted.

“Health care is a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it,” the mayor said. “While the federal government works to gut health care for millions of Americans, New York City is leading the way by guaranteeing that every New Yorker has access to quality, comprehensive access to care, regardless of immigration status or their ability to pay.”

The services will be provided on a sliding scale in order to ensure that it is affordable.

“NYC Care will provide a primary care doctor and will provide access to specialty care, prescription drugs, mental health services, hospitalization, and more,” the statement noted.