NEW YORK, NY April 13, 2009 —Despite the dismal economy, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says now is the time to produce an affordable health care plan for Americans. Gillibrand attended a roundtable in Harlem with health care reform advocates today.

GILLIBRAND: If we can address health care reform now, more of our small businesses, more of our large businesses can be competitive internationally and throughout the country.

Gillibrand says she'll push legislation to allow people to select a not-for-profit, insurance plan, modeled on Medicare, over private health insurance. She also made her most unequivocal statement in support of gay marriage since she was appointed to Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat.