By ALFREDO ALVARADO

Speaking out for hospital workers, patients and the public, Local 420 President Carmen Charles, DC 37 Field Operations Director Barbara Ingram-Edmonds and Local 436 Vice President Judith Burger called for increased funding for the Health and Hospitals Corp.

They testified at the recent public meeting for fiscal year 2003 held at Bellevue Hospital by HHC’s Board of Directors.

“Nearly 2 million New Yorkers have no health insurance,” said Ms. Charles, the recently elected president of Municipal Hospital Employees Union Local 420. “If we are to cover the uninsured, HHC needs new sources of revenue.”

Ms. Edmonds emphasized the importance of HHC for members, patients and all New Yorkers. “The union recognizes that the interests of our members, HHC patients and the general public are united,” said Ms. Edmonds. DC 37 represents nearly 18,000 employees at the Health and Hospitals Corp., almost 60 percent of the workforce.

She acknowledged the efforts of the new administration at HHC to generate more revenue by increasing the enrollment of new patients into managed health care programs such as Child Health Plus. DC 37 supports these joint labor-management initiatives as a pilot program at Bellevue Hospital.

“As we outlined in our white paper, we believe that HHC could generate $300 million in revenue for fiscal year 2004 by increasing enrollment into the Family Health Plus program by 100,000 people,” said Ms. Edmonds.

Ms. Edmonds also addressed HHC’s new efforts to improve ambulatory care service and said the union would remain vigilant to ensure that the steering of patients to voluntary hospitals does not continue to undermine HHC.

She pointed out that under the current budget arrangement between City Hall and HHC, the city pays HHC only enough to cover the costs of running the city morgues, treating ill prisoners and uniformed officers, and paying off debt. “We pledge to work with HHC to ensure that HHC get its fair share of dollars to pay for care for the uninsured and indigent from the state and federal government,” said Ms. Edmonds.

“Local 420 stands in the forefront of the fight for the uninsured,” added Ms. Charles. “We do this because it is morally correct. The crisis of the uninsured is a crisis for HHC and our members.”