The City Council recently examined health, mental health, and hospital-related issues in budget hearings. During the Committee on Health and Committee on Mental Health joint hearing on March 15, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dave Chokshi, MD, highlighted the de Blasio Administration’s opposition to potential State budget cuts to public health and mental health providers, described their vaccination outreach and education efforts, and requested additional funding for emergency and hospital preparedness.
During the Hospitals Committee hearing on March 22, Chair Carlina Rivera (D-Manhattan) expressed a desire to preserve ambulatory services and beds at NYC Health + Hospitals, examined vaccination efforts, and restated her support for forced nurse staffing ratios, which GNYHA vigorously opposes. Numerous community-based organizations and other groups made funding requests during both hearings. The City Council and Administration must agree on and pass a budget by July 1—the start of the new fiscal year.