December 2011 mailing
cphs*
*Putting the public back in public health.
The CPHS Annual Membership meeting will be held on Monday, December 5th at 6:30 pm, at the Urban Justice Center, 123 William Street, in the 16th floor conference room. The annual meeting will include: a CPHS financial report and a CPHS program report. We will also have a panel that will provide information and a discussion about the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT). A final vote on the final recommendations coming from five MRT committees will be held on December 13th in Albany. For four of the other committees, a vote was already taken to endorse the recommendations. Come to the meeting and learn more.
It's important to stay involved and informed as decisions affecting health policy and the well being of the safety net are gathering momentum at all levels of government. At the federal level we are learning that the Congressional "Super" committee is deadlocked. If this does occur automatic spending cuts are supposed to go into effect by 2013. HHC is holding their Annual Public Meetings so we have enclosed our traditional Talking Points to use to testify, if you agree with our recommendations.
Crain's reports that the Berger Commission's Brooklyn Working Group's recommendations on five vulnerable Brooklyn facilities, may be released soon. CPHS welcomes some initial recommendations coming from the State Department of Health to promote a funding mechanism to support safety net providers. However, in a recent New York Times article, http://nyti.ms/v5C6BN) Steven Berger is proposing new patterns of private investment. The implications are ominous with concerns that the failed experiment at St. Vincent's, where they relied on capital from the private market, may be on the table for Brooklyn. Senator Sampson's Brooklyn Task Force has also released a series of proposals. It is possible that the Governor will have conflicting proposals submitted to him. CPHS continues to work with multiple partners to educate public officials on these critical issues and influence the development of policies and initiatives that include real community input and focus on the needs of underserved communities.
CPHS and the Save Our Safety Net Campaign (SOS-C) continue to be actively involved in the MRT process supporting 14 positive recommendations made by the Health Disparities committee, including immigrant and language access proposals. CPHS' recommendation for a change in the charity care pool distribution was also adopted by this committee, along with a proposed increase in Medicaid payments for safety net providers, and increasing the dollar amount available in the community health center charity pool. Another MRT committee has a much weaker recommendation for the charity care pool. For more information contact Judy at ladyhealth@aol.com
At the city level Mayor Bloomberg released the November budget Plan over the weekend. The Plan outlines budget adjustments and cuts known as PEGS. Copies of the November plan can be viewed or downloaded at http://on.nyc.gov/vQ4JqT. HHC is being cut an additional $1.5 million in the current fiscal and $4.2 Million in FY 2013. At the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene the November cuts translate to $8.8 million in the current year and $23.5 million in FY 13. This includes reductions to multiple items including Correctional health, The East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence, HIV prevention contracts, STD clinics, Early Intervention services for children, and more. More details to follow.
CPHS is working with the People's Budget Coalition (PBC), which held a successful breakfast forum on November 9th. On the CPHS web site, you can find a list of PBC's accomplishments and an English and Spanish sign-on letter to submit to Mayor Bloomberg and members of the City Council. PBC will be following up on ideas discussed at the forum and develop a proactive campaign in anticipation of the upcoming budget season. We thank Mary Li for her outstanding work coordinating CPHS's effort with the PBC. If you are interested in joining the PBC campaign or being added to the PBC list serve please contact Ed at 212-246-0803 or at ed@cphsnyc.org.
