Mayoral Candidates' Responses - 2013 Forum

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MAYORAL FORUM ON PUBLIC HEALTH

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
As part of the Mayoral Forum on Public Health, we gave every Mayoral Candidate running in the 2013
election an opportunity to submit answers to the following questions. We received responses from Sal
Albanese, Adolfo Carrion, John Catsimatidis, John Liu and Christine Quinn. Their submissions follow
the list of questions.

INTRODUCTION

The coalition of community, professional and labor organizations supporting this forum came together
to ensure that issues relating to public health and access to health care become a key focus in the
upcoming citywide elections. The questions below address our concerns for the state of public health
in the City of New York and our desire for a full airing of the positions taken on these issues by all of
the candidates for Mayor of the City of New York.

Because health care issues are so wide-ranging, so complex, and so personal, this questionnaire alone
is insufficient to bring attention to all of the decisions that will face our next Mayor. Therefore, the
coalition will also prepare and distribute a Policy Paper addressing the full-range of concerns from our
member organizations, including both those listed below and those left out for the sake of reasonable
brevity.

Certainly there are long-standing weaknesses in public health in the city that remain to be addressed,
some progress over the term of the current administration that should continue to be fostered, and a
hundred administrative decisions to be made by the next Mayor, each of which will have a profound
effect on access to care, prevention, wellness, and other issues for so many New Yorkers. We would
hope anyone pursuing the opportunity to be mayor of our nations greatest city would give attention to
these issues commensurate with the impact his or her decisions will have for millions of people.

As if we needed a reminder, the drafting of this questionnaire has overlapped with the continued
recovery from Hurricane Sandy, demonstrating huge fissures in the fabric of our healthcare system and
leaving large numbers of people stranded and vulnerable. With four hospitals temporarily closing
because of damage from the storms surge, the resulting patchwork of care exposed the vulnerability of
the health care network that we all rely on. The aftermath of this tragedy will continue for a long time.

We believe that community and labor have a critical role to play in improving health care services for
all city neighborhoods, with a special targeting of low-income, medically underserved, immigrant and
communities of color.

POPULATIONS to target

We know that each ethnic population is more likely to have better health outcomes if their provider
speaks their language or is knowledgeable of their culture. Too many New Yorkers are unhealthy
because they have inadequate housing, are unemployed or have substandard job, lack access to quality
education, nutrition, and safe areas for exercise and other factors that are described as the social
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determinants of health. Even though New York Citys policy is not to ask patients about their
immigration status, many undocumented New Yorkers remain underserved and uncared for. And we
know that those living with physical or mental disabilities or chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS where
New York City continues to have an infection rate three times higher than the rest of the country, face
persistent barriers to getting the care they need when they need it. Many New Yorkers still remain
unserved and uncared for, including the undocumented.

1. What are the three most important policies your administration would put in place to remove
those barriers?
2. Eleven percent of the NYC disability population has dramatically more frequent diagnoses for
asthma, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, developmental disabilities including autism,
diabetes, hepatitis, and hypertension disease than those without. What would your
administration do to address these disparities?
3. What are you willing to do to ensure that support, programs, and funding are prioritized to
people living with chronic illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, diabetes, mental illnesses, and
others?

4. What steps can you take in the city to establish additional Early Intervention opportunities for
children affected by Autism and other developmental disabilities, and their parents?

PRIMARY CARE & UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

New York City is known as a medical Mecca, yet many neighborhoods are medically underserved
and the impact of health care disparities on those residents is tragic. The public and primary care safety
net facilities provide care to the bulk of the uninsured or publicly insured in New York City.

1. Would you match city dollars with state and federal dollars to expand, promote and increase
accessibility of primary care facilities in underserved communities? What types of programs
would you support?

2. How will you direct your efforts to ensure that all New Yorkers receive culturally and
linguistically competent care? How will you direct funds to provide accountability and
oversight over the implementation of this targeted care?

3. Community-Based Organizations have led the way in conducting community health needs
assessment, outreach and education, and enrollment in health insurance coverage. What steps
will you take to ensure that CBOs are an integral part of the ongoing, permanent decision-
making structure?

4. In a study of American medical schools commitment to a social mission, New York Citys
medical schools ranked toward the bottom. Are you willing to use the tax exemption powers
of the city to convince all health professional schools, including medical schools, that they need
to do more to train a work force uniquely suited for New York City, including ensuring more
underrepresented minority students are enrolled?

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE (DOHMH)

The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services currently oversees 11 agencies, including the
DOHMH. The DOHMH is chartered to protect and promote the health and mental wellbeing of all
New Yorkers.

1. What qualities would you look for in a Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and
in a Commissioner of the DOHMH?

2. The current administration has proposed eliminating the Office of Minority Health. As
Mayor, would you support this position and if so, what would you recommend in its place?

3. When budget cuts are necessary, the cuts targeted to DOHMH almost invariably slice
critical public health programs in low-income, immigrant and communities of color. How
would you open up budget-cutting conversations with a broader community beyond the
City Council champions of these programs to determine priorities for funding in the
DOHMH budget?

4. What mechanisms beyond public hearings would you establish to ensure that the publics
needs and concerns are taken into consideration in the formulation of DOHMH policies,
planning, implementation, and evaluation?

5. The DOHMH currently offers programs on fighting obesity, smoking cessation and
unintended pregnancies. How will your administration seek to enhance and improve those
efforts?
6. In anticipation of forthcoming state cuts how would you maintain and preserve the current
level of Early Intervention Services for children and parents or their primary caregivers?

FUNDING INITIATIVES

New York City and State face a number of decisions in the upcoming months that could prove
illustrative of the types of funding questions you will encounter as Mayor. The Medicaid Waiver
amendment proposal submitted by the NYS Department of Health to the federal government would
bring in millions of dollars, but decisions related to the distribution of those funds in a manner that
would address disparities remain. As another example, the City has also been receiving Tobacco
Litigation Settlement (TSAS) monies since 1998. New York will continue to receive for 25 years with
a current balance of $120 million year going to the general fund. Decisions must be made as to how
best to allocate these funds for public health initiatives to benefit New Yorkers.

1. Would you target specifically a portion of the tobacco litigation dollars to support public health
services?

2. For both of these examples, how would you work with diverse communities and advocates to
determine which populations need additional services and to ensure that dollars are targeted to
safety net organizations serving communities most in need? What steps and within what
timeline would you implement this process?

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3. What other revenues could be used for public health initiatives and services? How would you
insure the inclusion of the public in the prioritization and definition of these public health
initiatives and the provision of subsequent services?

4. What reforms would you recommend and support for the citys contracting process? How
would you oversee the inclusion of cultural competency and language accessible services as a
criterion in the RFP scoring rubric?

HEALTH AND HOSPITALS CORPORATION

The HHC facilities serve a critical role in guaranteeing access to health care services in New York
City, particularly for the uninsured, immigrants, and people of color. They are also the only access
point of care for many New York City residents, regardless of immigration status. However,
reductions in funding and staffing have strained the ability for HHC to carry out is mission and have
unquestionably driven up Emergency Room use for patients who can no longer get timely
appointments. With the major pieces of the Affordable Care Act, including both the coverage
expansion and the planned cuts to the federal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding that
HHC relies on, occurring at the exact same time that the next Mayors enters office, there will be
disruptive change in the health care delivery system to which HHC must adapt.

1. HHC is governed by a board of 16 members, ten of whom are appointed by the Mayor. What
criteria would you utilize in making appointments for HHC board members?

2. How would you ensure active participation by both community and labor in all levels of
governance of the HHC?

3. HHC, as part of its Road Ahead plan, has been privatizing services. The most recent is the
privatization of the dialysis services at all of the public hospitals, which many of our
organizations opposed. What is your position on the privatization of public health services,
particularly those that are direct patient care?

4. City funding for HHC remains critical, particularly with the anticipated loss of federal DSH
dollars after 2014. Will you continue to insist on adequate city funding for the HHC budget,
and resist additional cuts to HHC services during tough budget years?

5. Given the critical importance of clinical and patient satisfaction scores as factors in Medicare
and Medicaid funding received by HHC, how would you ensure the meaningful input and
involvement of healthcare workers who do the frontline delivery of patient care, such as
doctors and nurses, to achieve high standards in these scores?

6. Staffing standards are critical in determining patient care access and patient care safety.
Because of staffing reductions, many patients are waiting a long time to get an appointment.
Currently, some city nurses are being forced to care for ten or more patients at a time,
exceeding a safe workload. What steps will you take to ensure safe staffing levels exist in all
healthcare environments - including but not limited to the City's child health clinics, schools
based health centers, and home care?

MayoralCandidateSubmission:
SalAlbanese
MAYORAL FORUM ON PUBLIC HEALTH CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
INTRODUCTION

The coalition oI community, proIessional and labor organizations supporting this Iorum came together
to ensure that issues relating to public health and access to health care become a key Iocus in the
upcoming citywide elections. The questions below address our concerns Ior the state oI public health
in the City oI New York and our desire Ior a Iull airing oI the positions taken on these issues by all oI
the candidates Ior Mayor oI the City oI New York.

is insuIIicient to bring attention to all oI the decisions that will Iace our next Mayor. ThereIore, the
coalition will also prepare and distribute a Policy Paper addressing the Iull-range oI concerns Irom our
member organizations, including both those listed below and those leIt out Ior the sake oI reasonable
brevity.

some progress over the term oI the current administration that should continue to be Iostered, and a
hundred administrative decisions to be made by the next Mayor, each oI which will have a proIound
eIIect on access to care, prevention, wellness, and other issues Ior so many New Yorkers. We would
hope anyone pursuing the opportunity to be mayor oI our nation`s greatest city would give attention to
these issues commensurate with the impact his or her decisions will have Ior millions oI people.

As iI we needed a reminder, the draIting oI this questionnaire has overlapped with the continued
recovery Irom Hurricane Sandy, demonstrating huge Iissures in the Iabric oI our healthcare system
and leaving large numbers oI people stranded and vulnerable. With Iour hospitals temporarily closing
because oI damage Irom the storm`s surge, the resulting patchwork oI care exposed the vulnerability oI
the health care network that we all rely on. The aItermath oI this tragedy will continue Ior a long time.

We believe that community and labor have a critical role to play in improving health care services Ior
all city neighborhoods, with a special targeting oI low-income, medically underserved, immigrant and
communities oI color.


We know that each ethnic population is more likely to have better health outcomes iI their
provider speaks their language or is knowledgeable oI their culture. Too many New Yorkers
are unhealthy because they have inadequate housing, are unemployed or have substandard
job, lack access to quality education, nutrition, and saIe areas Ior exercise and other Iactors
that are described as the 'social determinants oI health. Even though New York City`s
policy is not to ask patients about their immigration status, many undocumented New Yorkers
remain underserved and uncared Ior. And we know that those living with physical or mental
disabilities or chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS where New York City continues to have an
inIection rate three times higher than the rest oI the country, Iace persistent barriers to getting
the care they need when they need it. Many New Yorkers still remain unserved and uncared
Ior, including the undocumented.

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What are the three most important policies your administration would put in place to remove
those barriers?
In an Albanese administration, the health of our citv will be a top prioritv. As an immigrant
whose father suffered from mental illness and spoke little English, and as someone who studied
health education at NYU, I understand fust how important access to public health services is to
the prosperitv of New York Citv. Immigration or chronic disease status should never, ever be
barriers in providing people qualitv healthcare. Its not onlv counterproductive but immoral
for a government to let these or other factors, like unemplovment, stand in the wav.
In an Albanese administration, we would conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine
where preciselv the underserved populations are and identifv the barriers each underserved
constituencv faces. I would invite the Citv or State comptroller and where necessarv, outside
assessors to measure the accountabilitv and effectiveness of all public health services. As
appropriate, we would explore and implement new policies to address each barrier, from
expanded cultural competence training to targeted nutritional policies, that directlv affect these
communities.

Eleven percent oI the NYC disability population has dramatically more Irequent diagnoses
Ior asthma, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, developmental disabilities including
autism, diabetes, hepatitis, and hypertension disease than those without. What would your
As referred to above, I would direct the Mavors Office for People with Disabilities to assess
of the needs of New Yorks disabilitv population and the effectiveness of existing programs,
especiallv those related to housing, transportation, and emplovment, all of which have
enormous impact on access to care. Mv administration will take a surgical approach, ensuring
citv funds meant to help arent wasted but reallocated into new and existing programs that
increase access to preventative care for the disabled.

What are you willing to do to ensure that support, programs, and Iunding are prioritized to
others?
As mentioned, public health services aimed at long-neglected communities will be a top prioritv
in the Albanese administration. We will explore all potential sources of funding municipal,
state, federal, and private that could help expand or establish effective services for those
living with a chronic illness.

What steps can you take in the city to establish additional Early Intervention opportunities Ior
children aIIected by Autism and other developmental disabilities, and their parents?
As a former health teacher, I know firsthand how essential earlv intervention is to the personal
health and future success of our children. One of mv first acts as Mavor will be to explore
how we can aggressivelv implement earlv intervention programs in health and education.
There is clear and convincing evidence that manv voung people who come from low-income
communities suffer emotional and neurological damage caused bv exposure to stress and
trauma. An Albanese administration would establish and expand pediatric wellness clinics
throughout the citv, seeking federal and private funding if necessarv.


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New York City is known as a 'medical Mecca, yet many neighborhoods are medically underserved
and the impact oI health care disparities on those residents is tragic. The public and primary care saIety
net Iacilities provide care to the bulk oI the uninsured or publicly insured in New York City.

Would you match city dollars with state and Iederal dollars to expand, promote and increase
accessibility oI primary care Iacilities in underserved communities? What types oI programs
would you support?
Yes, I would seek to match citv dollars with state and federal funds in order to expand
accessibilitv to primarv care facilities. In the long-term, this is a cost-saving measure, as lack
of access to primarv care is a kev driver in developing more serious and sometimes chronic
illness. The sicker our population gets, the greater the burden on the citv, its hospitals, and
clinics, which costs all of us more. Nationallv, the Affordable Care Act has moved us in the
right direction and attempts to provide all of our citi:ens with adequate preventive care. I plan
to engage and work with the federal Department of Health and Human Services as part of their
national effort to increase access to these services. In developing new policies, I will seek the
counsel and advice of qualified health experts like the people attending this forum, because the
best ideas come from those working in the field.

How will you direct your eIIorts to ensure that all New Yorkers receive culturally and
linguistically competent care? How will you direct Iunds to provide accountability and
oversight over the implementation oI this targeted care?
When mv immigrant father suffered from mental illness, we struggled to get him help until we
found an Italian-speaking psvchiatrist, who was a great help. Mv administration would ensure
that health clinics, particularlv in communities with a large non-English-speaking population,
are staffed with individuals who have the relevant linguistic and cultural competencies. To the
extent possible, we would train and position health personnel in communities with which thev
can best communicate. Like all of our health policies, linguistic and cultural programs will be
evaluated, reformed, and expanded according to their effectiveness on the ground.

Community-Based Organizations have led the way in conducting community health needs
will you take to ensure that CBOs are an integral part oI the ongoing, permanent decision-
making structure?
In an Albanese administration, no voice would be ignored simplv because it sits outside of the
governmental structure. CBOs are valued partners to the Citv with a uniquelv local perspective
that needs to be taken into consideration, and I would work to elevate their participation.

In a study oI American medical schools` commitment to a social mission, New York City`s
medical schools ranked toward the bottom. Are you willing to use the tax exemption powers oI
the city to convince all health proIessional schools, including medical schools, that they need
to do more to train a work Iorce uniquely suited Ior New York City, including ensuring more
As some medical schools are private entities, we would need to examine in detail the legal and
broader public health ramifications of wielding the Citvs tax exemption powers to mandate
changes. As stated above, an Albanese administration would place a high value on cultural and
linguistic competence, ensuring access to training for students from underserved communities
is essential to doing so effectivelv
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The Deputy Mayor Ior Health and Human Services currently oversees 11 agencies, including the
DOHMH. The DOHMH is chartered to protect and promote the health and mental wellbeing oI all
New Yorkers.

What qualities would you look Ior in a Deputy Mayor Ior Health and Human Services and
in a Commissioner oI the DOHMH?
Like all appointees in an Albanese administration, mv Deputv Mavor for Health and
Human Services and mv Commissioner of DOHMH would need to be leading public health
thinkers and skilled administrators. No Deputv Mavor or Commissioner will head anv
agencv without the vision and field-specific qualifications required to serve the millions
who depend on their good stewardship.

The current administration has proposed eliminating the OIIice oI Minority Health. As
Mayor, would you support this position and iI so, what would you recommend in its place?
The Office of Minoritv Healths mission of engaging faith-based communities is an
important part of anv plan to increase access. Whether an independent office, and the
bureaucratic, non-program costs associated with it, is the appropriate wav to accomplish
this outreach is a question that would need to be evaluated. A more unified, well-led
DOHMH should be able to promote and deliver effective services to all New Yorkers,
regardless of religion affiliation.

When budget cuts are necessary, the cuts targeted to DOHMH almost invariably slice
critical public health programs in low-income, immigrant and communities oI color.
How would you open up budget-cutting conversations with a broader community beyond
the City Council champions oI these programs to determine priorities Ior Iunding in the
DOHMH budget?
No discussion about the future of such essential services should be limited to the Citv
Council. Unfortunatelv, elected officials are not alwavs attuned to the needs of their diverse
constituencies. We need to consult with CBOs and other health groups and conduct deep
and lasting outreach in our neighborhoods to ensure that we arent cutting vital lifelines.

What mechanisms beyond public hearings would you establish to ensure that the public`s
needs and concerns are taken into consideration in the Iormulation oI DOHMH policies,
Occasional public hearings are an important but ultimatelv insufficient wav to
meaningfullv consult with the public. I would direct mv Deputv Mavor and Commissioner
to lead genuine consultation efforts and establish a regular feedback loop with healthcare
professionals, leading thinkers, communitv members, and patient groups. I would also
consider establishing a policv advisorv group that incorporated healthcare professionals
serving communities across the Citv.

The DOHMH currently oIIers programs on Iighting obesity, smoking cessation and
eIIorts?
As a former health teacher, I know how big of an impact well-delivered information can
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have on persuading our children and voung adults to develop a healthv lifestvle. As a Citv
Councilman, I passed legislation to eliminate the distribution of free cigarette samples
and was a leading sponsor of the bill banning vending machine tobacco products. The
DOHMHs current programs have made real progress in addressing obesitv, smoking,
and unintended pregnancv. I would work hard to provide them with adequate resources
to achieve their goals and consider new, targeted policies so that we continue to reduce
obesitv, smoking, and unintended pregnancv.

In anticipation oI Iorthcoming state cuts how would you maintain and preserve the current
level oI Early Intervention Services Ior children and parents or their primary caregivers?
While cuts are expected, mv administration would aggressivelv lobbv the state to maintain
funding for these critical services. We would also pursue sustained federal funding and
private funding if necessarv. As stated above, earlv intervention services are essential
to improving our citvs health, education, and economic viabilitv. Our current, crisis-
oriented governance is costlv and ineffective. I support an approach that invests in earlv
and preventative health services now, rather than emergencv services later.

FUNDING INITIATIVES

New York City and State Iace a number oI decisions in the upcoming months that could prove
illustrative oI the types oI Iunding questions you will encounter as Mayor. The Medicaid Waiver
amendment proposal submitted by the NYS Department oI Health to the Iederal government would
bring in millions oI dollars, but decisions related to the distribution oI those Iunds in a manner that
Litigation Settlement (TSAS) monies since 1998. New York will continue to receive Ior 25 years with
a current balance oI $120 million year going to the general Iund. Decisions must be made as to how
best to allocate these Iunds Ior public health initiatives to beneIit New Yorkers.

Would you target speciIically a portion oI the tobacco litigation dollars to support public health
services?
Mv administration would examine everv possible avenue for funding public health services. If
feasible, I would be willing to target TSAS funds to public health but cannot commit to using
dollars from specific funds without reviewing the citvs overall fiscal condition.

For both oI these examples, how would you work with diverse communities and advocates to
determine which populations need additional services and to ensure that dollars are targeted
to saIety net organizations serving communities most in need? What steps and within what
A real Mavor is in-touch with all communities, not fust a favored few. In addition to an overall
assessment of municipal programs, mv administration would establish an advisorv group
incorporating communitv stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and other experts familiar
with underserved communities. Mv transition team would work from Election Dav forward to
develop precise plans for consultation and policv implementation. I believe that it is critical
that we do not procrastinate on issues of public health.

What other revenues could be used Ior public health initiatives and services? How would
you insure the inclusion oI the public in the prioritization and deIinition oI these public health
5

initiatives and the provision oI subsequent services?
In addition to pursuing funds at all levels of government, I would consider establishing
publiclv-accountable, privatelv-funded services where public funds were not available. I would
also evaluate other wavs of raising municipal revenue, including so-called 'vice taxes` that
would be tied to funding of specific health programs. We would hold regular public hearings
on the Citv budget and aggressivelv seek the advice of groups like those attending this forum.

What reIorms would you recommend and support Ior the city`s contracting process? How
would you oversee the inclusion oI cultural competency and language accessible services as a
Cultural competencv and language accessibilitv programs would be incorporated in the
selection of anv health service contractors. I believe that contractors should be required to
provide services that are first and foremost effective and accessible to all citi:ens meant to
benefit from them.


The HHC Iacilities serve a critical role in guaranteeing access to health care services in New York
City, particularly Ior the uninsured, immigrants, and people oI color. They are also the only access
point oI care Ior many New York City residents, regardless oI immigration status. However,
reductions in Iunding and staIIing have strained the ability Ior HHC to carry out is mission and
have unquestionably driven up Emergency Room use Ior patients who can no longer get timely
appointments. With the major pieces oI the Affordable Care Act, including both the coverage
expansion and the planned cuts to the Iederal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Iunding that
HHC relies on, occurring at the exact same time that the next Mayor`s enters oIIice, there will be

HHC is governed by a board oI 16 members, ten oI whom are appointed by the Mayor. What
criteria would you utilize in making appointments Ior HHC board members?
Like all of mv appointees, thev would be required to have meaningful experience and
expertise in healthcare. Thev would also need to have experience with managing disruptive
organi:ational change from an administrative perspective.

How would you ensure active participation by both community and labor in all levels oI
governance oI the HHC?
Board members would be drawn from communitv health and labor health groups and required
to regularlv seek advice of their constituencies. Leadership committed to genuine public service
would be directed to seek out the same qualities in each level of governance of the HHC.

HHC, as part oI its 'Road Ahead plan, has been privatizing services. The most recent is
the privatization oI the dialysis services at all oI the public hospitals, which many oI our
organizations opposed. What is your position on the privatization oI public health services,
In almost all circumstances, I oppose privati:ation unless it can be demonstrated that the Citv
cannot provide services effectivelv and competentlv. Too manv privati:ed services in other
sectors have been subfect to waste, corruption, and low accountabilitv. There are certain niche
services, however, that mav be unfeasible for the Citv to manage properlv. In those cases, I
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would consider private non-profit and other providers.

City Iunding Ior HHC remains critical, particularly with the anticipated loss oI Iederal DSH
dollars aIter 2014. Will you continue to insist on adequate city Iunding Ior the HHC budget,
With public health as a top prioritv and an investment in the future, I would resist pushes to cut
health services, insisting instead on finding savings that would not impact patient care.

Given the critical importance oI clinical and patient satisIaction scores as Iactors in Medicare
and Medicaid Iunding received by HHC, how would you ensure the meaningIul input and
involvement oI healthcare workers who do the Irontline delivery oI patient care, such as
As with everv other public health program, we would develop mechanisms like advisorv
councils to solicit feedback from nurses, doctors, other health workers, and, importantlv,
patients.

StaIIing standards are critical in determining patient care access and patient care saIety.
Because oI staIIing reductions, many patients are waiting a long time to get an appointment.
Currently, some city nurses are being Iorced to care Ior ten or more patients at a time,
exceeding a saIe workload. What steps will you take to ensure saIe staIIing levels exist in all
Overworked healthcare professionals are directlv counterproductive to mv goal of a
healthier, safer citv. We would seek the resources necessarv to ensure nurses and other health
professionals have a manageable caseload. I see this as a fiscallv prudent approach, saving the
Citv monev bv avoiding malpractice suits against it and its healthcare facilities.

November 27, 2012
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AdolfoCarrion
Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I wish to thank you and congratulate you for putting the issue of public health forward in the 2013 contest
for Mayor of NYC.

I am sorry I cannot join you for this important discussion, but I would like to share some brief thoughts
with you about my priorities and some preliminary ideas that I would like to advance in the area of public
health.

1. Health and wellness is a collective responsibility that goes beyond health care industry
professionals. As such, we need to enlist educators and all aspects of the private sector, in
addition to public officials and health care professionals.
2. Healthcare needs to be culturally and lingustically relevant.
3. The community/neighborhood health center model, partnering with major hospitals and
specialties to provide a full spectrum of services, with the primary family doctor at the forefront
of the delivery system is the right approach to holistic health care delivery.
4. NYC must improve living conditions in all neighborhoods, addressing issues of noise, air
quality, housing, access to open space, access to healthy foods, and other quality of life
concerns, if we are to fully address all issues that contribute to wellness.
5. NYC must promote health profession careers in NYC public high schools and in our public
university in order to fill the need for health care professionals at every level, from aides to
doctors. This would also address the dearth of minority health professionals, since the lion's
share of the public school population is Latino and African-American.
6. For Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Commissioner of DOHMH, I would
look to appoint healthcare professionals whose experience spans the gamut of health care
delivery, with experience in large urban settings, and who are committed to a holistic approach
to health and wellness.
7. NYC must support and improve the Health and Hospitals Corporation at all levels. It is the
critical safety net for all New Yorkers, especially those least able to afford expensive
healthcare. This means full participation and representation at the staff and board level by the
patients, the staff and the host communities for the facilities.

I have been a user of public health facilities as a child growing up in NYC and I have served on the board
of a communty health center in the South Bronx, where we served the most needy in our city. I am
committed to addressing the health needs of all New Yorkers and look forward to working with your
coalition of community, professional and labor organizations to care for our fellow New Yorkers, whether
as Mayor or asAdolfo from City Island in The Bronx.

Thanks and have a successful forum,

Adolfo Carrion

JohnCatsimatidis
1

INTRODUCTION

The coalition of community, professional and labor organizations supporting this forum came together
to ensure that issues relating to public health and access to health care become a key focus in the
upcoming citywide elections. The questions below address our concerns for the state of public health
in the City of New York and our desire for a full airing of the positions taken on these issues by all of
the candidates for Mayor of the City of New York.

is insufficient to bring attention to all of the decisions that will face our next Mayor. Therefore, the
coalition will also prepare and distribute a Policy Paper addressing the full-range of concerns from our
member organizations, including both those listed below and those left out for the sake of reasonable
brevity.

some progress over the term of the current administration that should continue to be fostered, and a
hundred administrative decisions to be made by the next Mayor, each of which will have a profound
effect on access to care, prevention, wellness, and other issues for so many New Yorkers. We would
hope anyone pursuing the opportunity to be mayor of our nations greatest city would give attention to
these issues commensurate with the impact his or her decisions will have for millions of people.

recovery from Hurricane Sandy, demonstrating huge fissures in the fabric of our healthcare system and
leaving large numbers of people stranded and vulnerable. With four hospitals temporarily closing
because of damage from the storms surge, the resulting patchwork of care exposed the vulnerability of
the health care network that we all rely on. The aftermath of this tragedy will continue for a long time.

We believe that community and labor have a critical role to play in improving health care services for
all city neighborhoods, with a special targeting of low-income, medically underserved, immigrant and
communities of color.


We know that each ethnic population is more likely to have better health outcomes if their provider
speaks their language or is knowledgeable of their culture. Too many New Yorkers are unhealthy
because they have inadequate housing, are unemployed or have substandard job, lack access to quality
education, nutrition, and safe areas for exercise and other factors that are described as the social
determinants of health. Even though New York Citys policy is not to ask patients about their
immigration status, many undocumented New Yorkers remain underserved and uncared for. And we
know that those living with physical or mental disabilities or chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS where
New York City continues to have an infection rate three times higher than the rest of the country, face
2

persistent barriers to getting the care they need when they need it. Many New Yorkers still remain
unserved and uncared for, including the undocumented.

those barriers?
Improve language access and increase education on prevention.
2. Eleven percent of the NYC disability population has dramatically more frequent diagnoses for
asthma, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, developmental disabilities including autism,
diabetes, hepatitis, and hypertension disease than those without. What would your
We need to creation an environment for education so we can have early detection.
3. What are you willing to do to ensure that support, programs, and funding are prioritized to
others?
I have diabetes. My father had diabetes. I am committed to do the best I can to help
people and provide services so that they can live long lives with a better quality of life.

4. What steps can you take in the city to establish additional Early Intervention opportunities for
children affected by Autism and other developmental disabilities, and their parents?
I raise money for autism. It is an epidemic and I hope we are close to finding the cause of
it. I believe we need to educate mother during pregnancies and have early detection to be
able to offer treatment.


New York City is known as a medical Mecca, yet many neighborhoods are medically underserved
and the impact of health care disparities on those residents is tragic. The public and primary care safety
net facilities provide care to the bulk of the uninsured or publicly insured in New York City.

1. Would you match city dollars with state and federal dollars to expand, promote and increase
accessibility of primary care facilities in underserved communities? What types of programs
would you support?
I always want to help those who are poor and in need. I used to be such a person. I think
educating people on how to eat better, how to stay away from foods that are bad for you is
a key to help these communities. Education is key.

linguistically competent care? How will you direct funds to provide accountability and
oversight over the implementation of this targeted care?
I think we need to have a better relationship in the Mayors office and partner with the
Public Advocate to come up with a solution to best serve communities with the greatest
needs.

3. Community-Based Organizations have led the way in conducting community health needs
3

will you take to ensure that CBOs are an integral part of the ongoing, permanent decision-
making structure?
I would create a permanent task force to continuously examine this area of concern with
stakeholders and to provide direction and guidance.

4. In a study of American medical schools commitment to a social mission, New York Citys
medical schools ranked toward the bottom. Are you willing to use the tax exemption powers
of the city to convince all health professional schools, including medical schools, that they need
to do more to train a work force uniquely suited for New York City, including ensuring more
Yes

The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services currently oversees 11 agencies, including the
DOHMH. The DOHMH is chartered to protect and promote the health and mental wellbeing of all
New Yorkers.

1. What qualities would you look for in a Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and
in a Commissioner of the DOHMH?
Someone with a track record of successful implementation of programs for other large
urban centers.

I would need to examine this proposal further before making an informed decision.

critical public health programs in low-income, immigrant and communities of color. How
would you open up budget-cutting conversations with a broader community beyond the
City Council champions of these programs to determine priorities for funding in the
DOHMH budget?
Do exactly that, reach out to stakeholders instead of just elected officials. I do not
want any one community to be hurt by cuts.

Again, in conjunction with the Public Advocate, Id set up offices on a per borough
basis to make it easier for the people to voice their concerns.

efforts?
4

The key is education in schools, and I would require that there be a class to provide
the correct information so people can make better choices. I wish I had such a class
about the causes of diabetes.

6. In anticipation of forthcoming state cuts how would you maintain and preserve the current
level of Early Intervention Services for children and parents or their primary caregivers?
I would need to evaluate where we can extract other savings from other areas of the
city budget to preserve funding.

FUNDING INITIATIVES

amendment proposal submitted by the NYS Department of Health to the federal government would
bring in millions of dollars, but decisions related to the distribution of those funds in a manner that
Litigation Settlement (TSAS) monies since 1998. New York will continue to receive for 25 years with
a current balance of $120 million year going to the general fund. Decisions must be made as to how
best to allocate these funds for public health initiatives to benefit New Yorkers.

1. Would you target specifically a portion of the tobacco litigation dollars to support public health
services?
Yes

2. For both of these examples, how would you work with diverse communities and advocates to
determine which populations need additional services and to ensure that dollars are targeted to
safety net organizations serving communities most in need? What steps and within what
The key here is that I want to hear from as many interested communities as I can before
allocating dollars to the communities that need it the most. I would offer many ways
where people can communicate with us to let us know there the needs are.

3. What other revenues could be used for public health initiatives and services? How would you
insure the inclusion of the public in the prioritization and definition of these public health
initiatives and the provision of subsequent services?
Maybe explore limited private-public alliances.

4. What reforms would you recommend and support for the citys contracting process? How
would you oversee the inclusion of cultural competency and language accessible services as a
I would want to include in the rubric new criterion to attract more diverse contractors.


The HHC facilities serve a critical role in guaranteeing access to health care services in New York
City, particularly for the uninsured, immigrants, and people of color. They are also the only access
point of care for many New York City residents, regardless of immigration status. However,
reductions in funding and staffing have strained the ability for HHC to carry out is mission and have
5

unquestionably driven up Emergency Room use for patients who can no longer get timely
appointments. With the major pieces of the Affordable Care Act, including both the coverage
expansion and the planned cuts to the federal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) funding that
HHC relies on, occurring at the exact same time that the next Mayors enters office, there will be

1. HHC is governed by a board of 16 members, ten of whom are appointed by the Mayor. What
criteria would you utilize in making appointments for HHC board members?
Ability, experience and vision. I sit on the board of Columbia Presbyterian and we use a
similar process to appoint our board members.

Encourage and invite participation whenever we can, in as many ways as we can, and to
make the process easier for people.

3. HHC, as part of its Road Ahead plan, has been privatizing services. The most recent is the
privatization of the dialysis services at all of the public hospitals, which many of our
I am hesitant to just turn over anything exclusively to a private, for-profit company. I
would need to examine the pros and cons first. We just want to take care of the people
who need the services.

dollars after 2014. Will you continue to insist on adequate city funding for the HHC budget,
Yes

5. Given the critical importance of clinical and patient satisfaction scores as factors in Medicare
and Medicaid funding received by HHC, how would you ensure the meaningful input and
involvement of healthcare workers who do the frontline delivery of patient care, such as
Im in the grocery business and the objective is to make the customer happy. Doctors
should think of patients as customers and do whatever they can to make their customers
happy.

The key is to find the right balance between right number of staff and keeping quality
care. We need to examine what else could be contributing to the delays.
November 27, 2012
JohnLiu

INTRODUCTION

The coalition of community, professional and labor organizations supporting this forum came
together to ensure that issues relating to public health and access to health care become a key
focus in the upcoming citywide elections. The questions below address our concerns for the
state of public health in the City of New York and our desire for a full airing of the positions
taken on these issues by all of the candidates for Mayor of the City of New York.

Because health care issues are so wide-ranging, so complex, and so personal, this
questionnaire alone is insufficient to bring attention to all of the decisions that will face our next
Mayor. Therefore, the coalition will also prepare and distribute a Policy Paper addressing the
full-range of concerns from our member organizations, including both those listed below and
those left out for the sake of reasonable brevity.

Certainly there are long-standing weaknesses in public health in the city that remain to be
addressed, some progress over the term of the current administration that should continue to be
fostered, and a hundred administrative decisions to be made by the next Mayor, each of which
will have a profound effect on access to care, prevention, wellness, and other issues for so
many New Yorkers. We would hope anyone pursuing the opportunity to be mayor of our
nations greatest city would give attention to these issues commensurate with the impact his or
her decisions will have for millions of people.

recovery from Hurricane Sandy, demonstrating huge fissures in the fabric of our healthcare
system and leaving large numbers of people stranded and vulnerable. With four hospitals
temporarily closing because of damage from the storms surge, the resulting patchwork of care
exposed the vulnerability of the health care network that we all rely on. The aftermath of this
tragedy will continue for a long time.

We believe that community and labor have a critical role to play in improving health care
services for all city neighborhoods, with a special targeting of low-income, medically
underserved, immigrant and communities of color.


We know that each ethnic population is more likely to have better health outcomes if their
provider speaks their language or is knowledgeable of their culture. Too many New Yorkers are
unhealthy because they have inadequate housing, are unemployed or have substandard job,
lack access to quality education, nutrition, and safe areas for exercise and other factors that are
described as the social determinants of health. Even though New York Citys policy is not to
ask patients about their immigration status, many undocumented New Yorkers remain
underserved and uncared for. And we know that those living with physical or mental disabilities
or chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS where New York City continues to have an infection rate
three times higher than the rest of the country, face persistent barriers to getting the care they
need when they need it. Many New Yorkers still remain unserved and uncared for, including the
undocumented.

The issues affecting our public health system are important and complex and I thank you
for the opportunity to submit my preliminary answers.

those barriers?

a. Language access. One of the biggest obstacles to many undocumented and
underserved New Yorkers getting adequate healthcare is the lack of translation/interpreter
services. One of the first bills I sponsored required certain City agencies to have
translation/interpreter services. I would ensure that the mandates of this bill are fulfilled and to
expand its scope, where necessary to ensure all New Yorkers have access to adequate
healcare.
b. Publicity. Although undocumented New Yorkers are eligible for services despite their
immigration status, many are not aware of this and of the services available to them. I will
continue to work with community-based organizations and other groups that serve
undocumented New Yorkers and with the ethnic press to ensure that these programs are
available to undocumented New Yorkers.
c. Funding. I will fight to make sure that these programs are adequately funded in the
budget.

2. Eleven percent of the NYC disability population has dramatically more frequent diagnoses
for asthma, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, developmental disabilities including
autism, diabetes, hepatitis, and hypertension disease than those without. What would your

I would ensure more frequent and targeted screenings for disabled population and work
with CBOs/providers to make sure they can help follow up with this population.

3. What are you willing to do to ensure that support, programs, and funding are prioritized
to people living with chronic illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, diabetes, mental illnesses,
and others?

I would make sure that the Department of Health has the specialists and maybe even
create units within DOH to address these chronic diseases. I would also require DOH to work
more closely with CBOs and other providers to make sure we are reaching the targeted
populations.

4. What steps can you take in the city to establish additional Early Intervention
opportunities for children affected by Autism and other developmental disabilities, and their
parents?

I would create workshops with healthcare partners and specialists for parents of pre-
school and elementary school children, as well as teachers. I would train educators and other
providers on how to identify and address Autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as
create annual list of resources available to address these issues.


New York City is known as a medical Mecca, yet many neighborhoods are medically
underserved and the impact of health care disparities on those residents is tragic. The public
and primary care safety net facilities provide care to the bulk of the uninsured or publicly insured
in New York City.

1. Would you match city dollars with state and federal dollars to expand, promote and
increase accessibility of primary care facilities in underserved communities? What types of
programs would you support?

Yes to an extent. The State and Federal governments should be responsible for the
bulk of funding for prevention, outreach and resource programs.

linguistically competent care? How will you direct funds to provide accountability and oversight
over the implementation of this targeted care?

I would expand the language access that I passed as a council member to other
agencies involved in healthcare, as well as work with CBOs/providers/employers/labor
organizations to make sure this mandate is implemented broadly. I would also require agencies
to have some money budgeted to fund this requirement.

3. Community-Based Organizations have led the way in conducting community health
needs assessment, outreach and education, and enrollment in health insurance coverage.
What steps will you take to ensure that CBOs are an integral part of the ongoing, permanent
decision-making structure?

I would create a taskforce to meet quarterly and ensure CBOs have regular
communications with relevant City agencies.

4. In a study of American medical schools commitment to a social mission, New York
Citys medical schools ranked toward the bottom. Are you willing to use the tax exemption
powers of the city to convince all health professional schools, including medical schools, that
they need to do more to train a work force uniquely suited for New York City, including ensuring
more underrepresented minority students are enrolled?

Yes. This is an important concern and I believe would be a legitimate use of the Citys
taxing power. However, I also believe that the State and Federal governments need to provide
incentives to these mostly private schools.


The Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services currently oversees 11 agencies, including
the DOHMH. The DOHMH is chartered to protect and promote the health and mental wellbeing
of all New Yorkers.

1. What qualities would you look for in a Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and in
a Commissioner of the DOHMH?

I would seek candidates who have long records of providing healthcare in New York
City. As a large, diverse city with a large immigrant population, the healthcare issues facing our
City are different than those facing other cities and it takes someone with experience in New
York City to understand these unique issues. I would also seek candidates with top credentials.


I do not think it is necessary to have a separate Office of Minority Health if you make
addressing the issues of this community a priority. The health concerns of the minority
community can be addressed by ensuring that they are adequately funded and publicized and
ensuring that we have sufficient offices in the neighborhoods that serve the minority community.

critical public health programs in low-income, immigrant and communities of color. How would
you open up budget-cutting conversations with a broader community beyond the City Council
champions of these programs to determine priorities for funding in the DOHMH budget?

It is necessary for the business community to understand the impact of cuts to critical
public health programs affects them. Many people in low-income, immigrant and communities
of color help make businesses run, working in low paying jobs, often without health insurance,
such as in restaurants or security guards. The business community would be adversely
affected if this vital workforce were unable to work because of healthcare issues.


As I have discussed previously, it is important to work with the CBOs and other people
providing direct services to the public to find out what issues they face. It is also important to
make sure we look at the ethnic press as an important source of information as to the concerns
and issues facing the communities that they cover.

efforts?

These programs are all important. I would work with the ethnic press and CBOs to
ensure that all communities are aware of these important programs and are able to participate
in them.

6. In anticipation of forthcoming state cuts how would you maintain and preserve the
current level of Early Intervention Services for children and parents or their primary caregivers?

I think we have to understand the importance of early intervention and how it can
potentially save money later. By providing this program for children, we can make those with
developmental disabilities into productive member of society. By cutting such programs, we
shift the financial burden to later generations who will have to provide for these people who did
not get the help they needed when they were younger.

FUNDING INITIATIVES

amendment proposal submitted by the NYS Department of Health to the federal government
would bring in millions of dollars, but decisions related to the distribution of those funds in a
manner that would address disparities remain. As another example, the City has also been
receiving Tobacco Litigation Settlement (TSAS) monies since 1998. New York will continue to
receive for 25 years with a current balance of $120 million year going to the general fund.
Decisions must be made as to how best to allocate these funds for public health initiatives to
benefit New Yorkers.

1. Would you target specifically a portion of the tobacco litigation dollars to support public
health services?

Yes. I believe that public health services will help to prevent more expensive and
serious health issues that can arise if we adequately address them early.

2. For both of these examples, how would you work with diverse communities and
advocates to determine which populations need additional services and to ensure that dollars
are targeted to safety net organizations serving communities most in need? What steps and
within what timeline would you implement this process?

As discussed, it is important to work closely with the CBOs and other organizations that
work directly with diverse communities and to regularly follow ethnic media to make sure we
know of any public health issues that may arise as soon as possible. I would make sure we
have regular meetings with these organizations immediately after taking office to ensure we are
able to immediately help those communities in need.

3. What other revenues could be used for public health initiatives and services? How
would you insure the inclusion of the public in the prioritization and definition of these public
health initiatives and the provision of subsequent services?

Tax revenue from the proposed expansion of casinos in New York State should be
considered for funding public health programs. Since many members of the public are unable to
attend public hearings, I would initiate a program to ask the public to complete a voluntary
survey on how public health programs can be improved.

4. What reforms would you recommend and support for the citys contracting process?
How would you oversee the inclusion of cultural competency and language accessible services
as a criterion in the RFP scoring rubric?

As with others, I think the Citys contracting process can be made more streamlined. We
also need to make sure when we issue RFPs that some of the smaller, newer organizations
unfamiliar with the Citys contracting process can submit bids. In contracts serving communities
where language may be an issue, I believe it is legitimate to ask about how organizations have
served such communities and how they are able to communicate with such communities,
whether through documents or with multi-lingual personnel.


The HHC facilities serve a critical role in guaranteeing access to health care services in New
York City, particularly for the uninsured, immigrants, and people of color. They are also the only
access point of care for many New York City residents, regardless of immigration status.
However, reductions in funding and staffing have strained the ability for HHC to carry out its
mission and have unquestionably driven up Emergency Room use for patients who can no
longer get timely appointments. With the major pieces of the Affordable Care Act, including
both the coverage expansion and the planned cuts to the federal Disproportionate Share
Hospital (DSH) funding that HHC relies on, occurring at the exact same time that the next
Mayors enters office, there will be disruptive change in the health care delivery system to which
HHC must adapt.

1. HHC is governed by a board of 16 members, ten of whom are appointed by the Mayor.
What criteria would you utilize in making appointments for HHC board members?

I would seek those with top credentials who have a history of providing healthcare
services in New York City. I would also make sure my appointees represent the diversity of
New York City.


The concerns of the community and labor can be heard in the regular course of business
by recruiting qualified people from those communities to work at HHC. Also, we need to work
more closely with the ethnic press to make sure underrepresented communities are kept
updated about HHCs work.

3. HHC, as part of its Road Ahead plan, has been privatizing services. The most recent is
the privatization of the dialysis services at all of the public hospitals, which many of our

While privatization may make sense in some situations, privatization of public health
services is an oxymoron and makes no sense.

dollars after 2014. Will you continue to insist on adequate city funding for the HHC budget, and
resist additional cuts to HHC services during tough budget years?

Yes.

5. Given the critical importance of clinical and patient satisfaction scores as factors in
Medicare and Medicaid funding received by HHC, how would you ensure the meaningful input
and involvement of healthcare workers who do the frontline delivery of patient care, such as

It is important to work with the organizations representing doctors and nurses to hear
about issues affecting their work environments. It is also important to make sure that our
doctors and nurses have adequate training and resources to do their jobs.


I would make adequate funding for public health programs a priority. I would also
review the agencies providing public health services are not top heavy and return any savings to
front line staff.

November 27, 2012

ChristineQuinn
MayoralForumonPublicHealth
AnswerstoCandidateQuestionnaire
ChristineQuinn
SectionI:Populationstotarget
SincebeingelectedtoCityCouncilin1999,improvinghealthoutcomeshasbeenamajorpriorityforme,
bothasChairoftheHealthCommitteeandSpeakerofCityCouncil.Throughtheprogramsthatwehave
createdandfunded,andthroughthelegislationCouncilhaspassed,Ihaveworkedtoreducethehealth
disparitiesthatdisproportionatelyburdenlowincomeNewYorkers,minorities,andimmigrants,among
others.Thenextadministrationmustcontinuetoprioritizefundingforthoseprogramsandsystems
thatstrengthenthecitysabilitytopreventdiseaseandreducehealthdisparitiesacrossthecity.
DuringmytimeasSpeaker,theCouncilhasfundedprogramsthatdecreasehigherratesofdiseasein
disadvantagedpopulations:nearly$4millioninAsthmaPreventionprogramming;$24.7millionfora
citywideInfantMortalityInitiative,and$48millionforavarietyofHIV/AIDSprevention,testingand
outreachprograms.RecognizingtheobstaclesthatnonEnglishspeakingandimmigrantresidentsface
inaccessinghealthcare,wepassedtheLanguageAccessinPharmaciesAct,whichrequirespharmacies
totranslatemedicalinstructionsintothesevenmostcommonlanguagesinthecity;fundedtranslation
servicesatHHChospitals;andprovidedfundingforFederallyQualifiedHealthCenters,whichserve
anyone,regardlessofincomeorimmigrationstatus.
LowincomeNewYorkersareforcedtojugglethecostsofdailylivingandmedicalcareisoftenthefirst
expensetobecut.Inordertoeasethefinancialburdenofprescriptiondrugs,theCouncilfundedan
expansionofHHCsprescriptionfeewaiversfortheuninsuredandunderinsured,andhelpedHHCcreate
astandardizedwaiverfeeprocessthatappliedacrossallhospitals.Wehavealsofoughttopreserveour
criticalhealthsafetynetovertheyears:inresponsetoGovernorPatakisproposedMedicaidcutsin
2003,weworkedwithacoalitionofhealthcareadvocates,consumers,communitygroupsandorganized
labortosuccessfullyfight$1.9billionincuts,whichwouldhaveeliminatedaccesstohealthcarefor
thousandsofcityresidentsanddevastatedNewYorkCityshealthcareindustry.ThenextMayormust
continuesimilarefforts,andfighttosupporthospitalsandnursinghomeswithlargeMedicaid
populations,manyofwhichcanbarelyaffordtoprovidethecarethatourmostvulnerableNewYorkers
relyon.
Ensuringthatwomenreceiveadequateaccesstobasichealthandreproductivecarehasalwaysbeen
oneofmyhighestpriorities.Thishasinvolvedsecuringawomansrighttoprivacyandinformation
relatedtoavarietyofreproductivehealthdecisions;in2003,theCouncilpassedlegislationrequiring
pharmaciestoadvertisewhethertheysellemergencycontraception,andfollowedupwithlegislationin
2011thatrequiressocalledcrisispregnancycenterstodisclosetheservicesprovidedandthe
availabilityofmedicalstaff.In2009,weanalyzedbarrierstomammographyscreeningsthroughoutthe
city,andcoupledthatwithfundingforbreastcancerscreenings,educationandoutreach.More
recently,theCouncilheldoversighthearingstohighlightthechallengesdisabledwomenfacewhen
obtainingmammograms;HHCiscommittedtoensuringADAcomplianceacrossitssystem.
Inordertobettersupportphysicallyandmentallydisabledpopulations,wewillcontinuetoadvocatefor
sufficientfundingandqualitytrainingfordirectcareworkers,avitalandgrowingworkforcethatallows
ourdisabledandhomeboundpopulationstoreceivepersonalizedcareathome,withdignity.Since
2008,theCouncilhasprovided$9.9millionforcriticalwraparoundservicesforautisticchildrenduring
nonschoolhours,inadditiontoeducationalprogramsforfamiliesaffectedbyautism.Inadditionto
fightingtoprotectvitalMedicaidfundingforEarlyInterventionservices,thecitymustdevelopstrategies
onhowtoidentifyandservethecitysgrowingpopulationofchildrenwithdevelopmentaldisabilities,
sothatfamiliescanaccessneededservicesinavarietyofhealthandnonclinicalsettings.
Healthisnotonlydeterminedbythecaresomeonereceivesfromadoctor,butalsobyaccesstothings
likeaqualityeducation,agoodjob,stablehousing,andasafeneighborhood.Inadditiontoinvestingin
programsthataddresschronicdiseaseandhealthcareaccess,asSpeaker,Ihavesoughttoaddress
healthinacomprehensiveway.OurGunViolenceTaskForceismakingcommunitiessaferforall
residents,whichwillnotonlyprovideatriskyouthwiththenecessaryemotionalandsocialsupportto
livesafer,healthierlives,butalsomakeiteasierforresidentstobephysicallyactiveintheirown
neighborhoods.Ourcommunityschoolsworklookstointegratehealthandsocialservicesintoschools,
sothatstudentsandfamiliescanaccesshealthservicesinaconvenient,familiarenvironment,while
enhancingstudentsconnectiontotheirschoolandimprovingtheireducationalexperience.OurFood
RetailExpansiontoSupportHealth(FRESH)initiativeprovidestaxandzoningincentivestoretailerswho
opengrocerystoresinunderservedneighborhoods,makingneighborhoodsmoreeconomicallyviable,
whileincreasingresidentsaccesstohealthyfood.Inadditiontofundingasthmaoutreachand
education,wehavereducedenvironmentalasthmatriggersbypassingcitywidelegislationthatphases
outdieselburningschoolbusesandtheuseofdirtyheatingoilinthecity,whichisoneofthegreatest
contributorsofharmfulparticulatematter.
Theseinterdisciplinarystrategiescreatehealthiercommunitiesandhealthierresidents,andtheyrequire
interagencycooperation.Thenextadministrationshouldensurecloseprogrammaticalignmentand
cooperationbetweenagenciesthatarechargedwithcaringforourmostvulnerableresidents,whether
thatagencyscoremissionistoprovideeducation,publichousing,jobtrainingorgovernmentbenefits.
Weknowthatthesefactorsimpacthealth,soallrelevantagenciesmustbeatthetabletodevelop
systemsandprogramsthatsupportNewYorkersinacomprehensiveway.
SectionII:Primarycareandunderservedcommunities
IncreasingaccesstoprimarycarehasbeenoneofmyprioritiesthroughoutmytenureasSpeakerofthe
CityCouncil,anditiscriticaltoreducingthehealthimpactsandfiscalburdenofchronicdisease.In
2007,IlaunchedthePrimaryCareInitiative,whichledtoathoroughCommunityHealthAssessment
followedbya$27millioncapitalandexpenseallocationforprimarycareinfrastructurethroughoutthe
city.Accesstoregular,qualitycareisaninvestmentinthehealthofNewYorkersandinouroverall
healthsystem,asprimarycarecanreduceadditionalhealthcomplicationsthatleadtocostlyhospital
staysandemergencydepartmentvisits.Wecontinuetoinvestininnovativemodelsofhealthcare
deliverythatincreaseNewYorkersaccesstoanduseofprimarycare,asillustratedbyproviding
medicalequipmentfortheFreelancersUnionsrecentlyopenedclinic,whichprovidespatientcentered,
coordinatedcareforfreelancersthroughoutthecity.Ibelievethecitymustalsocontinuetomake
smart,coordinatedinvestmentsinprimarycarefacilitiesthatarealignedwithfundingfromthestate
andfederalgovernment.
YetprimarycareinfrastructurealoneisnotenoughtoengageallNewYorkersinthehealthcaresystem;
communitybasedorganizations(CBOs)arecriticalpartnersinthoseefforts.CBOswerevitaltothe
successofourPrimaryCareInitiative,whichwasabletoengagecommunitiesthroughoutthecityina
needsassessmentprocess.Issuespecifictaskforceswithadiversemembershiprepresentingall
stakeholderscanbeaneffectivetoolindevelopingpublichealthpolicythatreflectstheknowledgeof
theexperts,includinglocaladvocates,providersandCBOs.Additionally,DistrictPublicHealthOffices,
basedincommunitieswiththemosturgenthealthneedsandhighestlevelsofhealthdisparities,should
beformallystructuredsothatallhealthassessment,outreach,programmingandevaluationisclosely
coordinatedwithlocalCBOs,withformalmethodsofrelayinginformationbackuptoDOHMH,HHC,and
theMayorsOffice.
Wemustensurethathealthcareisprovidedinwaythatisrespectfulofthemyriadcultures,languages
andbackgroundsofthisdiversecity.AsSpeaker,IpassedtheLanguageAccessinPharmaciesAct,which
requirespharmaciestotranslatemedicalinstructionsintothesevenmostcommonlanguagesinthe
city;fundedtranslationservicesatHHChospitals;andconductedoversighthearingsregardingHHCs
culturalcompetencytraining.Thenextadministrationshouldensurethatallcityagenciesproviding
healthandhumanservicescanguideresidentsthroughthesysteminaculturallyandlinguistically
competentway.Thesamemustbetrueofourhealthcaresystem,anditisnecessaryforthecityto
trainamedicalworkforcethatcanserveallofNewYorkscommunitiesandpatients.Wemustensure
highquality,culturallyrelevanttrainingforbilingualanddiversehealthprofessionals,andtheCity
shouldcontinuetoemphasizetheimportanceofaswellasincentivizemedicalschoolstotrainadiverse,
linguisticallycompetentworkforce.TheCityshouldalsotakeadvantageofvariousstateandfederal
programstoincreasethenumberofpractitionerswherethereareshortages,astheCouncildidby
applyingforfederalHealthProfessionalShortageAreas(HPSA)designationstorecruitandretainhealth
professionalsineightunderservedcommunities.
SectionIII:DOHMH
AnyonewhoservesastheDeputyMayorforHealthandHumanServicesortheCommissionerof
DOHMHshouldhaveanexpertiseinsocialservicesandpublichealth,combinedwithacompassionate
understandingofthediverseneedsofNewYorkers.Theindividualsfillingbothpostswouldideallyhave
abackgroundworkingwithhighriskpopulationsandtheCBOsthatsupportthem,sothatagencyefforts
toimproveNewYorkerslivesisbasedonrelevantexperience.TheCommissionerofDOHMHshould
havethemedicalbackgroundnecessarytodevelopinnovativepoliciesandprogramsthatimprove
healthonapopulationlevel,aswehaveseenthroughoutthisadministration.
EffectivelymeetingitsmissionofprotectingandimprovingthehealthofNewYorkersmustbean
ongoingpriorityforDOHMH.Reducinghealthdisparitiesisabsolutelycentraltothatmission,andthe
OfficeofMinorityHealthisanimportantmechanismforengaginghighriskpopulationsineffortsto
improvehealthoutcomesinminoritycommunities.Additionally,thenextAdministrationmustensure
thatthepublicsvoiceisintegratedintoDOHMHsoperations,bothbudgetaryandprogrammatic.There
areavarietyofwaystoenvisionthatinteractionissuebasedtaskforces,communityadvisoryboards,
DistrictPublicHealthOfficesthatenablebottomupcommunicationbutregardlessoftheexact
method,theMayorandCommissionershouldsetthetoneforareceptive,participatoryDOHMH.
DOHMHhastackledawidebreadthofissuesunderthecurrentMayor,manyinclosepartnershipwith
theCouncil.Whetherpassingaseriesoflawsbanningsmokinginvariouspubliclocationsinthecity;
fundingprogramsthatenablelowincomeNewYorkerstousefoodstampdollarsatfarmersmarkets;or
coordinatingapublicprivatepartnershipthatexpandedfreerapidHIVtestingforthousandsofHHC
patients,wehaveusedavarietyoftoolstocreateahealthierenvironmentthroughoutthecity,and
provideNewYorkerswiththeinformationandabilitytomakehealthychoicesforthemselves.Thenext
Mayor,DeputyMayorofHealthandHumanServicesandCommissionerofDOHMHmustworktogether
andwithavarietyofstakeholderstocreativelyaddressthetophealthprioritiesofNewYorkers.
Effective,innovativeandcompassionatestrategiesmustbedevelopedtoreducetheburdenofdisease
onthepopulation,andminimizethestrainitputsonthecityandhealthsystem.
SectionIV:FundingInitiatives
AsChairoftheHealthCommitteeandSpeakerofCityCouncil,Ihaveprioritizedhealthfundingoverthe
years.Whetherthatfundingprovided$27millionforprimarycareinfrastructure,or$9.9millionfor
AutismAwarenessorrestoredfundingforSTIclinicsindangerofclosing,Ihavefoughttodevelop,
enhanceandpreservetheprogramsthatarenecessarytokeepNewYorkershealthy.Thenext
administrationmustworktoinsurethatfundsareallocatedinawaythataddressesdisparitiesincare
andfillsthecurrentgapsinhealthservicesthatexistinmanycommunities.TheCouncilactively
engagespractitionersandexpertstoinformlegislative,policyandbudgetaryprocessesandvocalizethe
needsofallcommunities;onthegroundexpertisemustbeusedtoguidedecisionsinthenext
administration.
ThemonthssinceHurricaneSandyhaveillustratedtheimportanceofhavingtheflexibilityandabilityto
respondtoanemergencysituationthatrequiredtheallocationoffunding.Wedo,however,needto
thinkcreativelyabouthowweusethecurrentsourcesofpublichealthandhospitaldollarsinthecity;
fundinglikethatreceivedaspartofthestatesMedicaidWaiverapplicationisoftenallocatedbythe
federalandstategovernment,andthecitymustactivelyadvocatearoundhowthosedollarscanbe
usedinourcitytothemaximizethehealthofourresidentsandourhealthsystem.
Aswithallcitycontractingservices,wemustcontinuetostreamlinetheRFPandreimbursement
process.Smallbusinessesandnonprofitsmanyofwhomarebestequippedtoprovidelocalized,
targetedservicesforthediversecommunitiesofNewYorkareburdenedbythecontractingsystem,
andthismayresultinthecitylosinghighqualityproviders.Whenitcomestoprovidinghealthand
humanservices,thenextadministrationshouldworkwithCBOstodeveloprobustculturalandlinguistic
competencycriteriaforallRFPs,sothattheproviderswhoreceivecitycontractsarewellsuitedtoserve
theirclients.
SectionV:HHC
TheHHCsystemisvitaltoprovidingcareforNewYorkersinneed,regardlessoftheirincome,insurance
statusorbackground.OvertheyearsasSpeaker,wehavecommitted$168.1milliontoHHC,fightingto
closegapsintheirbudget.GiventhecriticalandcomprehensivenatureoftheservicesprovidedbyHHC,
wemustcontinuetosupportthesystem;cutsnotonlyharmvulnerablecommunitiesthatrelyonthese
hospitals,butalsoleadtoincreasedcostsinchronicdisease,emergencydepartmentuseandhospital
readmissionsthatthecitysimplycannotafford.ThatswhythecitymustcontinuetosupportHHC,but
mustalsocollaboratewiththefederalandstategovernmentandlocalproviderswhoareimplementing
newpatientcenteredmedicalhomemodelsthatseektoimprovecareandreducecostsbyproviding
coordinatedcareacrossavarietyofsettings.
Americashealthcaredeliverysystemischangingdrastically,andHHCneedsaboardwiththeskills
necessarytoleadthecitythroughthisera.Theboardshouldhaveadiversityofhealthbackgroundsand
experiences,representativeofallplayersinafunctioninghealthcaresystem:physiciansfromvarious
specialties;laborrepresentatives;communityhealthexperts;cityadministrationrepresentativeswho
thoughtfullycoordinateeffortsbetweenHHCandrelevantagencies;healthadministratorswhocan
navigatethefiscalchallengesfacingourcityshospitalsystem.Boardmembersshouldpossessadeep
knowledgeofandrelationshipswiththecommunitiesHHCserves.Notonlywillthisensurethe
deliveryofculturallycompetentcare,butitwillalsofacilitatestrongerconnectionsbetweenhospital
andcommunity,sothatNewYorkerscanreceivecontinuityofcareacrossmultiplesettings.Leadersof
thehospitalsystemmustbeinnovativethinkers,creatingthesystemsthatallowHHCtoadapttoand
growwiththeshiftingtimes.
Thoseonthefrontlinesofhealthcaredeliveryourphysicians,ournurses,ouralliedhealthworkers
shouldalsobeactivelyengagedinensuringthehigheststandardsofcareforourpatients.Labor
managementcommitteesmustincludedirectinputfromalllevelsofhealthprofessionals,andthe
expertiseofourpractitionersshouldbeusedinordertodeterminetheguidelinesofreimbursement
fromMedicaidandMedicare.Withoutathoughtfulandcompleteinvolvementoftheworkforcethat
providescaretoourpatients,thecityshospitalscannotmeetthestandardssetbyfederalreform.
Healthcareprofessionalsshouldalsobeoneofseveralstakeholdersinvolvedinassessingcurrentissues
instaffinglevels,determiningcurrentandoptimalratios,andsuggestingtailoredsolutionswhen
systematicproblemsareevident.
AsSpeaker,Ihaveworkedtoensurethatacarefulandtransparentcost/benefitanalysisisconducted
beforeanycityserviceiscontractedout.Notonlydoesthisgiveworkerscurrentlyprovidingtheservice
afairchancetocompeteforthecontract,butitalsohelpssafeguardthehealthofNewYorkers.In
2011,wepassedtheOutsourcingAccountabilityAct,whichstrengthensandexpandsthetypesof
analysestobeconductedbeforeprivatizingcertainservices;nowmoreagenciesmustprovideadditional
noticerequirementsandmoredocumentationofthecost/benefitanalysis.Whilethislawdoesnot
coverHHCbecauseitisunderstatejurisdiction,IbelievethatHHCshouldadoptsimilaranalysis
procedures.Thiswouldensurethatanycontractingdecisionthatmightdisplacecurrentworkersor
jeopardizethehealthofNewYorkerswouldbeheldtothehigheststandardofanalysisand
transparencyandcostbenefitanalysis.Thenextadministrationmustcontinuetoprioritizepatient
safetyaboveallelse.

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