PEP, May 2009: HHC plans job cuts, clinic closings

The city and state financial crises are hitting the nation’s premier public hospital system, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corp., which provided medical care for some 450,000 uninsured New Yorkers last year. HHC announced in March that it faces a budget gap of at least $316 million in fiscal year 2010, which starts July 1.

“It cost nearly $850 million to care for the 450,000 uninsured New York State residents who relied on our services last year,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. The number of uninsured patients increased 8 percent, but the state cut Medicaid reimbursement by $66 million.

Aviles said that unless funds are restored, HHC would have to close clinics and lay off workers. Proposed for closing are four school-based health programs, three community clinics, two mental health day treatment programs, three satellite pharmacies and a hospital-based therapy program for tuberculosis patients. Three other hospital-based programs are to be consolidated with reduced staffing.

“One thing that should be obvious in this economic climate is that layoffs are not a solution. They only compound the problems we’re facing,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “We are doing everything in our power to protect our members and the millions of New Yorkers they serve, including talking to the state to ensure that the federal stimulus monies are used for the purpose for which they are intended.”

“As far as I’m concerned, one layoff is one layoff too many,” said Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 President Carmen Charles, who is planning an aggressive fight against any service cuts and layoffs.

Union leaders and health care activists will take the fight to Albany on May 5, DC 37 Lobby Day, to press the state Legislature for more money. The union is also urging the U.S. Congress to use available Disproportionate Share funds to support public hospitals that care for the majority of the uninsured population.

Union activists are also engaged in the battle for national health care reform. Representing DC 37 April 13 at a roundtable discussion with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was Local 1549 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino. “We desperately need reform and that must include a public health insurance plan, which would enhance revenue for HHC,” said Palladino at the panel, which was organized by Health Care for America Now. “New Yorkers simply can’t be at the mercy of private insurance companies any more.”

— Alfredo Alvarado