HealthCare and You: Part I GENERAL HEALTH STATISTICS AND ACCESS

Team Tish will be doing a few (2-3) posts on healthcare specifically in relation to the budget cuts. We feel this is a timely and appropriate discussion to have following tonight's informative community forum on how healthcare institutions will be affected by the economic bailout and recession, specifically the budgets cuts proposed by Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg on the State and City levels. These cuts have been made public (as most of you probably are aware, the New York City Council Committee hearings concerning the Mayor's financial plan are are being held from November 17-24th). The City Financial Plan updates can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/omb/html/home/home.shtml

A few things that we'd like to point out are some statistics (fun!) regarding healthcare access in the United States:

-The United States government covers around 28% of the US population's health insurance through programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, etc. (U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007)

-The Commonwealth Fund, an organization that promotes health care interests, puts the number of US adults between the ages of 19 and 64 with no insurance, sporadic insurance, or insufficient insurance at 60 Million, or 35% of the US population. (The Commonwealth Fund, Insured But Not Protected: How Many Adults are Underinsured?)

-The exact number of uninsured adults in the US was $45 million in 2007 (U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007), and expected to increase by at least 2 Million in 2008 (Kaiser Family Fdtn, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured)

-About half of federal expenditures outside of defense and interest are devoted to people ages 65 and up. Population aging alone- a result of the baby boomers generation- is expected to cause Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid costs to rise by about 3.5% of the GDP by 2030. (Urban Institute, Can Faster Economic Growth Bailout Our Retirement Programs?)

-Additionally, the much-talked-about State and City budget cuts include cuts to health and social services- including but not limited to Oral Health Services, a Manhattan STD clinic, Summer School Nurses & Dentists, and reductions in the Health and Hospital Corporation’s budget.

-There are a number of health organizations and non-profits which may be able to aid residents. Please click on the picture below for a working list that provide services to residents in the 35th District:




What We’re Currently Doing:

-Council Member James has shown support for the implementation of a universal healthcare program that is a fair and balanced structure that takes into consideration our currently fragile economy. She has co-signed onto Res. 75, which is supportive of a universal healthcare plan. The resolution may be found here: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Res%200075-2006.htm?CFID=1814151&CFTOKEN=84343293.

-Our office is currently hearing alternative budget proposals from organizations that focus on fiscal policy. The Council Member’s position feels strongly that in consideration of State and City budget cuts, social services should be at the bottom of the list of services cut. Alternative cuts are currently being researched and we hope to develop some proposals soon. The Council Member’s position is that “across the board” cuts are unacceptable (these would include cuts on childrens and senior services, education, housing, health, etc.)

If you had problems on Election Day, you are not alone...Please follow Up!

Mr. Gregory C. Soumas
Board of Elections in the City of New York
Executive Office
32 Broadway
New York, NY 10004-1609

November 17, 2008

Dear Mr. Soumas:

I would like to publicly apologize for being such a dim-witted dilettante on Election Day. I was under the naïve assumption that I could vote where I voted in the last two elections. Your thoughtful letter pointed out that if I had voted in the recent primary election in September I would have discovered that I was no longer registered in the polling place I have voted in since 2004. Considering your position at the Board of Elections and your deep respect for the democratic process I must assume that my local 14th St. poll worker, Betty J. Williamson's assertion that my name was on the active voter rolls for the primary in September of this year was erroneous and that she must be as confused and wrongheaded as I am. If Ms. Williamson saw my name in the book in September that would mean that you are lying. Certainly you wouldn't lie about a thing like that. That is unbecoming of a man of your bureaucratic stature. And why would anyone in the Board of Elections be eliminating legitimate voters from the rolls in late September and October of 2008? That's just crazy and un-democratic.

I should also apologize for the misguided actions of Justice Paul G. Feinman in issuing a court order on Election Day allowing me to vote on 14th St. He apparently thought that a printed out record from your own Board of Elections computer verifying my polling place as 14th St was justification for issuing the court order. If he had only thought to contact you, you could have helped him understand the logic and wisdom of eliminating my name from the book on 14th St. where I have always voted and leaving my name registered at a place I have never voted.

I must also thank you for sending your letter not to me but to all the major newspapers in the New York area and across the internet. I understand it was your way of clearing up this matter and for that I am grateful. I am particularly appreciative of your sending a copy of my voter registration card with my home address and driver's license number to all the newspapers and, by extension, to millions across the internet. What celebrity dilettante wouldn't want his private information made public? What kind of snob gets angry that his family's safety might be compromised? It comes with the territory, right? I was thinking of returning that favor by publishing your home address in this letter but then I thought that maybe one of the thousands of New Yorkers that were taken off the voter rolls in the last two months might not understand what a patriotic upstanding man you are and might show up at your doorstep with the misguided assumption that you are a petty vindictive corrupt scumbag.

Tim Robbins
New Yorker since 1961
Voter since 1976

P.S. If anyone reading this letter had a similar experience on Election Day it can and should be reported at 866ourvote.org.

ATTENTION: A Community Forum on the Economic Bailout- Impact on Healthcare Institutions. Wed., Nov. 19th. 6PM

THE ECONOMIC BAILOUT & CRISIS:
What will be the Impact on Our Healthcare Institutions?

A Community Forum & Panel Discussion featuring

Togba Porte, DC 37 Healthcare Workers Local 420
Judy Wessler, Commission on The Public’s Health System
Kate Navarro-McKay, Greater New York Hospital Association
______________________________________________

DATE: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

TIME: 6pm

LOCATION: Brown Memorial Baptist Church
484 Washington Avenue (Enter on Gates Ave.)
Brooklyn, N.Y.

SPONSORS

*57th Assembly District Democratic Organization*
*State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Member*
Health Committee, New York State Senate
*State Senator John Sampson, Ranking Democrat*
Health Committee, New York State Senate
*Council Member Letitia James - 35th District*
*District Leader Olanike Alabi - 57th Assembly District*

A Message from Council Member James Regarding Vending

Attention:

Today, the New York City Council Committee on Consumer Affairs and the Committee on Immigration held a hearing to discuss vending-related bills before the New York City Council. Although I not a member of the Consumer Affairs Committee or the Immigration Committee, I am continuing to monitor the progress of this issue closely, with specific interest to the needs of immigrant communities who often rely heavily on vending as a way of accessing goods, and those who look to vending as a source of economic empowerment.

I recognize that vending is a vital economic and cultural lifeline in New York City. After meeting with unified street vending organizations, and corresponding with art street vendors, I have a strong understanding of the issues that street vendors face. These issues include vending laws that are often outdated and unenforceable, increasing fines, and unequal and improper regulation of a system that should encourage economic growth and empowerment. I believe that vending needs to be regulated efficiently and fairly.

There are 17 recent vending-related bills currently before the New York City Council, and today's hearing focused on seven specific bills. Of those seven bills, I have co-sponsored the following:

Int. 828, which would amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting general vendors from leaving pushcarts, stands or goods unattended;

Int. 834, which would amend the administrative code of the city of New York in relation to increasing the number of licenses for general vending.

I have also co-sponsored Proposed Int. 324A, which would increase the number of full-time vending permits to 25,000, with 5% increases in the following years. This bill differs from the above-mentioned Int. 834, which would increase the number of vending licenses for general vending 20% (from the current 853 to 1023).

I look forward to continuing discussion on how to improve the business of vending for both vendors and other residents in New York City, and will continue to support legislation that expands employment opportunities, and establishes a safe and efficient atmosphere for such business. It continues to be a great pleasure to serve the 35th Council District of the City of New York.

Letitia James

Council Members Letitia James and Bill de Blasio Host a Brooklyn Day Care Fair on Saturday, November 22nd, from 10AM at LIU

Brooklyn Day Care Fair hosted by Council Member Letitia James and Council Member Bill de Blasio

WHEN: Saturday, November 22, 2008, 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.

WHERE: Long Island University- Brooklyn Campus
1 University Plaza
(on the corner of Flatbush and DeKalb Avenues)


Subway Services: B, M, Q, R to DeKalb Av or the 2, 3, 4, 5 to Nevins Street.

A, C, G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn

Bus Services: B25, B26, B37, B38, B41, B45, B52, B54, B67, B103


Do you need Day Care for your child? Want to learn about affordable and subsidized day care centers in and near your neighborhood?

COME TO THE BROOKLYN DAY CARE FAIR TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL CHILD CARE OPTIONS FOR YOU CHILD!


At the Brooklyn Day Care Fair you can:

-Meet local Day Care Centers Director

-Enroll your child in Day Care

-Learn about eligibility for subsidized Day Cares

-Obtain information about immigrant needs

-Learn about options for newborn and infant care, as well as special needs

-Find out about care during non-traditional hours

ON-SITE enrollment for the child care centers through the Administration for Children’s Services [ACS] - in order to enroll you will need:

• Proof of Residence

• Proof Reason for Needing Child Care

• Legal Residency for Non Citizen Children

• Proof of Income

• Family Members

Door Prizes!!! Door Prizes!!! Door Prizes!!!

ATTENTION: Traffic Changes on Brooklyn Streets

Council Member Letitia James and Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries joined business owners, churches, and residents of Fort Greene today at 11:00AM in Brooklyn to discuss traffic changes on major streets in Brooklyn, specifically the change of street directions (from a one-way to a two-way) on Hanson Place. This street direction change affects the Atlantic Center Mall, as well as the Brooklyn State Office Building (location of the office of Assembly Member Jeffries), the Office of Council Member James, MoCADA, restaurants, businesses, apartment buildings, brownstones, and the Atlantic Avenue subway station. This unannounced change is putting people and drivers in harms way due, by and large, to improper notification by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

In response to this, Council Member James's office is currently developing legislation geared towards the DOT, and traffic rules implementation. There will be more to state concerning this legislation at a later date.

Round 2: Ask Team Tish

Since the addition of the visitor counter to the teamtish blog, we are able to see that the blog receives 75-150 hits a day! We encourage all readers to submit questions or comments about posts in the comments section, and are once again opening-up the comments section to any questions you may have. As always, we'll try our best to answer...

President-Elect Barack Obama!

Please view President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech from Chicago, Illinois: http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/speeches/obama-victory-speech.html#

Barack Obama will serve as the 44th President of the United States of America, having defeated Republican Senator John McCain, and becoming the first person of color to be elected to the presidency. Obama's victory followed a remarkably strong campaign in which the call for "Change" served as the centerpiece. Delaware Senator Joe Biden will serve as Obama's Vice President. Barack Obama will be sworn-in on January 20, 2009.

teamtish could not be more thrilled by Obama's victory, and looks forward to a new administration and the great work we all have left to do! May America- that shining city upon a hill- continue to be blessed.

Get Out And Vote!

We just want to remind you (a bit late) to get out and vote. This morning, NY1 reported that in some Brooklyn voting locations, the line was around the corner! It's possible that the after-work crowd will be similarly large, but the importance of this election has been long-discussed on television and at dinner tables, so we won't be redundant. Please make your voice heard, and vote!

Tish, myself, and some great volunteers were out this morning distributing cookies, cake, and pudding from Choice Market (located at 318 Lafayette Avenue) at a local voting location. If anyone took pictures, please email some to me at AWorthyDavis@council.nyc.gov.

Thanks Choice Market for helping us keep people alert and sugared-up!

On The Legislative Front

Council Member James has introduced the following bills/resolutions since August 2008:

Res. 1570-2008- A resolution calling upon Animal Care and Control of New York City to establish a Trap, Neuter, and Return program for feral animals. The text may be viewed here: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Res%201570-2008.htm?CFID=1839819&CFTOKEN=79266471

Res. 1571-2008- A resolution calling upon the New York City Housing Authority to review its infrastructure and address a possible correlation between air vents, water pipes and asthma, which may result in an increase in asthma among its residents. The text may be found here: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Res%201571-2008.htm?CFID=1839819&CFTOKEN=79266471

Res. 1617-2008- A resolution calling on the New York State Office of Court Administration to disclose and report to the Governor and the New York State Legislature on the process of selecting judges to preside at trials. The text may be viewed here: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Res%201617-2008.htm?CFID=1839819&CFTOKEN=79266471

Int. 844-2008 (along with CMs de Blasio and Vann)- A local law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Homeless Services to maintain an intake center in Manhattan. The text may be viewed here: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200844-2008.htm?CFID=1839819&CFTOKEN=79266471

This is not a complete list of introduced bills/resolutions.