REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – February 2025

Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
February 27, 2025

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS FACILITIES CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

All 11 hospitals, five long term care facilities, 29 Gotham Health sites, and various other business units celebrated February’s Black History Month. These sites held panels, created galleries and videos, held fashion shows, and engaged staff and patients alike. NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens and South Brooklyn Health interviewed staff and black women providers for interactive videos. NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter came to gather celebrate Black History Month with its residents.

The HHArt of Medicine program hosted five workshops, including a Black History Month program at McKinney facilitated by the Whitney Museum of American Art that highlighted the works of Alma Thomas. Thomas is recognized as major African-American painter of the 20th century.

To wrap up the month, the Music for the Soul program delivered a total of 10 concerts, including five performances at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, Harlem, Queens, and Jacobi that included live Jazz, Motown, and Afro-Caribbean beats.

HEALTH SYSTEM AND FACILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

SANDRA SNEED, MBA, FACHE APPOINTED CEO OF NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL, MARKING HER RETURN TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM

Yesterday Sandra Sneed, MBA, FACHE was appointed Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. She brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience overseeing operations for hospitals across the country, and she has a strong record of expanding access to services while reducing wait-times for patients. Her new position marks a return to NYC Health + Hospitals: she was born at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, and she began her career as an occupational therapist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County. Sneed becomes CEO of Woodhull Hospital effective March 24. Woodhull Hospital’s current CEO Gregory Calliste will step down after over 9 years leading Woodhull Hospital and 33 years of service to the Health System.

Sneed most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of Memorial Regional Hospital in South Florida, a 700-bed level 1 trauma center. She collaborated with physician, nursing, and imaging leadership across that hospital to achieve Maternal Levels of Care – Level (4) Certification, the highest possible level, by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She oversaw an initiative to improve patient flow through the hospital, which reduced the time patients spent waiting in the Emergency Department for an inpatient bed by 46% in just over a year while also improving the rate of patient discharges and decreasing patients’ average length of stay. She also oversaw efforts to expand surgeries, leading to a 7% increase in case volume over one year.

Sneed’s prior roles include Vice President of Operations and Support Services Officer at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital (Texas), Interim Chief Operating Officer at Howard University Hospital (Washington, DC), and Vice President of Operations at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center (Ohio). She received her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy at Utica College of Syracuse University and her master’s degree in business administration with a focus in health administration at Oakland University, Rochester Hills in Michigan.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES PROGRESS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH, DOWNTOWN FAR ROCKAWAY, STRENGTHENING HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO FAMILIES IN THE UNDERSERVED AREA

Mayor Eric Adams, Dr. Katz, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced that construction is now underway on a new 22,000-square-foot Gotham Health community health center that will provide comprehensive health care services to residents of Far Rockaway, Queens. The state-of-the-art community health center will expand community members’ access to primary care, specialty care, women’s health, dental, vision, podiatry, radiology, and mental health services.

The Gotham Health center — located at 1720 Village Lane in Far Rockaway — is expected to open in 2027, and is designed to bridge health care gaps in Far Rockaway, where community members have historically had limited access to care. Borough President Richards played a crucial role advocating for the center and ensuring it will provide comprehensive health services and promote health equity for the Far Rockaway community.

The facility will offer a full spectrum of primary care services, including:

• Preventive and general medical care to support the overall well- being of individuals and their families.
• Pediatric health care to promote the growth and development of children from infancy through adolescence.
• Women’s health and maternity services to provide comprehensive gynecological, reproductive, prenatal, and postpartum care.
• Mental and behavioral health support to address community members’ emotional, psychological, and psychiatric needs.
• Chronic disease management for conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
• Comprehensive podiatry care, including treatment for diabetic foot conditions and other foot health concerns.
• Vision screenings and eye care for diagnosing and managing common vision issues.
• Complete dental care, including routine exams, professional cleanings, and oral health treatments.
• Advanced diagnostic imaging, featuring CT Scans, DEXA Bone Density Scans, ultrasounds, and 3D mammography to provide precise medical evaluations.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL RENOVATES PSYCHIATRIC UNIT

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull completed a major renovation project within its Psychiatric Unit to improve the facility’s safety, functionality, and patient care. These upgrades are part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to create a supportive and secure environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.

The Psychiatric Unit’s interior features a redesigned nurses’ station, providing a smoother workflow for staff and making their workspace more efficient and organized. Harmonious and calming hues of fresh paint and new flooring brighten the entire space, offering a vibrant and calming atmosphere. The space also boasts brand-new, modern furnishing, each chosen for their comfort and contemporary style, ensuring that patients enjoy a safe, welcoming, and restorative environment.

The unit’s renovation also prioritized security, with new BHS-approved dome mirrors providing enhanced visibility and supervision. The installation of energy-efficient LED lighting creates an inviting atmosphere throughout, and all doors and sprinkler systems were replaced to meet current safety standards. The installation of Mold Tough ceiling panels enhances fire safety and meets the highest hygiene standards, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for staff and patients. Ceiling-mounted fire suppression devices add another layer of protection, minimizing ligature risks, while low-maintenance countertops in treatment areas offer both practicality and durability.

These renovations demonstrate NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull’s continued commitment to safety, sustainability, and fostering a welcoming, comfortable environment for both patients and staff, all while upholding the highest standards of care and prioritizing the well-being of its patients.

NEW WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH CLINIC OPENS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST

On Tuesday, February 11 NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst launched a Women’s Heart Health Institute, whose mission is to eliminate disparities and increase gender equity in cardiovascular health for female patients. The hospital’s Department of Cardiology treats approximately 7,000 patients annually, and around 30% are women. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. In addition, among women age 20 and older, 45% have cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for new mothers.

Elmhurst Hospital’s new Women’s Heart Health Institute seeks to provide more support for these patients through increased focus and research on how heart health impacts women, as well as individualized, comprehensive care for women patients aimed at improving outcomes.

The Institute’s other services will include:

• Individualized cardiovascular care though laboratory testing and advanced imaging
• Interdisciplinary lifestyle, nutritional, rehabilitative and social support to improve cardiovascular outcomes
• Comprehensive pre-conception risk assessment and cardiovascular care throughout pregnancy
• Community partnerships and outreach campaigns to increase awareness about women’s cardiovascular disease

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE RECOGNIZED AS A “PEDIATRIC INNOVATOR” AND DESIGNATED AS “ALWAYS READY FOR CHILDREN”

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue announced that its Pediatric Emergency Services department has been recognized as a “Pediatric Innovator” and Designated as “Always Ready for Children.” “Pediatric Innovator” is the highest level of recognition given by the Always Ready for Children (ARC) Pediatric Recognition Program, a statewide initiative from the New York State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program.

Bellevue Hospital’s Pediatric Emergency Services department has the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Manhattan south of 68th Street. The department recently met the requirements outlined by the ARC program with a near-perfect score of 97.5. The program criteria include providing care for those under 18, identifying a pediatric emergency coordinator, a willingness to share best practices and resources, and completing the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) Assessment, a survey used to evaluate the readiness of emergency departments in the United States to provide quality care to pediatric patients.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/SOUTH BROOKLYN HEALTH CELEBRATES NEW LOCATION FOR IDA G. ISRAEL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health celebrated the ribbon- cutting ceremony for the new location of its Ida G. Israel Community Health Center, marking a significant milestone in the continued commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to the South Brooklyn community. The event welcomed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with community leaders, healthcare professionals, and local officials, to commemorate the expansion of critical healthcare services in the area. The Ida G. Israel Community Health Center has been a vital part of Coney Island’s healthcare landscape, providing family medicine, and substance use disorder and chemical dependency services. The relocation enhances accessibility and convenience for patients, with primary care, family medicine, pediatric, colorectal services, substance use disorder, and chemical dependency care. The new site will open in the coming weeks following final approval from the New York State Department of Health.

THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND CITY’S DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION ANNOUNCE FREE TAX PREP SERVICES FOR NEW YORKERS AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND METROPLUSHEALTH SITES

NYC Health + Hospitals and its partners are offering free, in-person, and virtual tax preparation services for New Yorkers as part of the City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s (DCWP) NYC Free Tax Prep initiative. In partnership with Ariva, BronxWorks, Grow Brooklyn, Urban Upbound, and Code for America’s GetYourRefund initiative, free tax preparation is available for New Yorkers who earn $93,000 or less annually and file as a family, or those who earn $65,000 or less annually and file as an individual or couple without dependents. Select NYC Health + Hospitals sites offer support in Spanish, Mandarin, Urdu, and Burmese, and virtual tax preparation is available in Spanish as well. For in-person services, individuals should schedule an appointment in advance and bring identification and proof of income. For virtual services, individuals can upload their documents and meet virtually with a tax preparer to review their tax return before submission.

NEW DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASES NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH RAISING COMMUNITY AWARENESS THROUGH SUMMER PARADES ACROSS NEW YORK CITY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health announced the release a new short 5-minute documentary. The video captures the energy and dedication of Gotham Health staff, who brought health care awareness to thousands by participating in several prominent parades across New York City, including the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, the Juneteenth NY March, the NYC Pride March, the Dominican Day Parade, the West Indian Day Parade, and the African American Day Parade. These parades showcased Gotham Health’s commitment to community engagement and public health education. Gotham Health has long been a cornerstone of the community, providing accessible, quality healthcare to those who need it most. The film celebrates not only the organization’s mission but also the vibrant communities it serves.

NEW FOURTH WELLNESS ROOM FOR STAFF OPENS AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOTHAM HEALTH, MORRISANIA

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health unveiled its latest wellness room for staff at Gotham Health, Morrisania, marking the completion of the fourth and final wellness room across various Gotham Health sites. This initiative is part of the health System’s investment in workforce wellness under its Helping Healers Heal program. Designed in collaboration with WXY Studio, the wellness room offers a peaceful sanctuary for employees to unwind, de-stress, and recharge. The space features calming elements such as art installations, soothing lighting, and tranquil music, creating an environment conducive to relaxation and rejuvenation. Additionally, the room serves as a hub for staff to connect, debrief, and support one another in a serene setting. This opening follows the successful launches of wellness rooms at Gotham Health, Cumberland, Gotham Health, East New York in Brooklyn, and Gotham Health, Belvis in the Bronx.

The four wellness rooms at Gotham Health are part of a systemwide initiative bringing 20 wellness rooms to staff at NYC Health + Hospitals. The Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson Family Foundation gave a leadership contribution to support the creation of the 20 wellness rooms. Several other donors also contributed to the project, including the Ira W. DeCamp Foundation and The George Link, Jr. Foundation.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CELEBRATES 100 GRADUATES FROM ITS PEER ACADEMY TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE

NYC Health + Hospitals has graduated over 100 peer counselors from its Peer Academy since the program launched in December 2021. The Peer Academy helps recruit and train community members with lived experience of mental health or substance use issues to become State- certified peer counselors, who can support behavioral health patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings. The 12-week program includes classroom and on-the-job training at NYC Health + Hospitals, and tuition is free. Peers are uniquely positioned to serve patients with complex and co-morbid mental health and substance use disorder needs, and they can connect to traditionally hard-to-reach patients by sharing their lived experience to support recovery. NYC Health + Hospitals currently employs over 100 peers across the system and is one of the largest employers of peers in New York City. Nearly 40% of the peer counselors who are employed at NYC Health + Hospitals are graduates from the Peer Academy.

LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/GOUVERNEUR

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur Skilled Nursing Facility partnered with Gotham Health, Gouverneur, part of the public health System’s network of primary care clinics, to celebrate the Year of the Snake during their annual Lunar New Year festivities. Just steps away from Manhattan’s Chinatown, the top-ranked nursing home honored traditions celebrated across Asia for centuries, from its bright red décor and hongbao (red envelopes) to the paper lanterns and snake statue adorned with mandarin oranges for good luck and prosperity in the New Year. NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur staff, long-term care residents and their families enjoyed traditional song and dance performances by Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute, Tai Chi demonstrations, and the grand finale, a Lion Dance.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EMPLOYEE AND FACILITY RECOGNITIONS

BLACKDOCTOR.ORG NAMES NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/HARLEM AS ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS FOR BLACK AMERICA

NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem was recognized as one of the 2025 Best Hospitals for Black America by national leader in Black health and wellness, BlackDoctor.org (BDO). Harlem Hospital is one of 76 hospitals to receive the prestigious distinction, which recognizes hospitals that provide exceptional care to Black patients, an achievement of significance in today’s healthcare landscape. For the first time, this year BDO asked 1,000 US Black doctors one important question as part of the selection criteria: “Which hospitals do you trust most with providing quality and equitable care for your family members?” Harlem Hospital was formally recognized during an awards ceremony and symposium last month. According to BDO, the 2025 Best Hospitals for Black America list will play a fundamental role in driving further conversations on how to eliminate healthcare disparities that continue to disproportionately impact Black patients.

Advisory board members, who are not employed by BlackDoctor.org, reviewed the selection criteria and made recommendations for the award winners. The selection criteria for the nominations include the following:

• Feedback from the nation of Black doctors who recommended hospitals they trust to provide care for their families
• Quality of Care and Patient Satisfaction Scores
• Representation of persons of color and women in senior leadership roles
• Initiatives that positively impact urban communities
• Supplier diversity and procurement margins
• Commitment to equitable care for the Black community
• Presence of a Chief Equity/Diversity Officer within the organization

DR. MITCHELL KATZ NAMED TO CITY & STATE’S ‘2025 NEW YORK CITY POWER 100’ RECOGNITION LIST

NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD, has been recognized by City & State’s “2025 New York City Power 100” as among those most important for delivering services for New Yorkers every day. Dr. Katz is credited for driving major initiatives to expand health care access for all New Yorkers. During his tenure, he has overseen the adoption of a modern electronic health record system, launched a program that has placed over 1,200 patients into permanent housing, increased the number of nurse positions, developed a modern ambulance transport system, expanded outreach for homeless New Yorkers, led the health system through the COVID-19 crisis, and turned around the financial health of the system by enrolling more patients into health insurance and appropriately billing insurance plans. City & State’s New York City Power 100 honors the most influential leaders in advocacy, business, and government. City & State is a media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and State politics and policy through in-depth, non- partisan coverage.

DR. MACHELLE ALLEN NAMED TO AMNY & POLITICS NY’S ‘2025 BLACK POWER PLAYERS’ RECOGNITION LIST

NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Machelle Allen, MD, is among the honorees recognized by amNY Metro and PoliticsNY in its annual list of “2025 Black Power Players.” The list honors influential Black leaders who are leading efforts to positively impact New Yorkers across the city and state. Dr. Allen is recognized for her outstanding leadership in health care, her commitment to advancing health equity, and her efforts to improve medical care for underserved communities. Dr. Allen established the Office of Clinical Operations, which instituted surveillance of the health care system’s wastewater for emerging infections. She also created a systemwide Office of Women’s Health Services, which launched the Maternal Medical Home Program– one of only a few in New York State. The 2025 Black Power Players list is part of a monthly series by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro on New York’s ‘Power Players’, including business executives, educators, government affairs experts, and nonprofit directors.

DR. MICHELLE SOTO APPOINTED MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF AMBULATORY CARE AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/NORTH CENTRAL BRONX

Michelle Soto, MD, MBA, FASAM, has been appointed the Medical Director of Ambulatory Care at NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx (NCB). Dr. Soto will oversee NCB’s many outpatient clinics in this role, including its pediatric, women’s health, primary care, and the medical and surgical specialties.

Dr. Soto received her Bachelor of Science from the CUNY School of Medicine in 1998 and graduated with her Doctor of Medicine from SUNY Downstate in 2001. After completing her Internal Medicine residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in 2004, she went on to be a practicing physician at several primary care practices before returning to NYC Health + Hospitals and working at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania, and later NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, where she led efforts to provide primary care services to chronically ill mental health patients. She is boarded in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine and brings extensive experience to this new role. She served as the medical director of a Federally Qualified Health Center, held a senior leadership positions in the field of behavioral health and substance use disorder, and returned to the health system as the director of primary care for NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, formerly known as NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island, where she oversaw quality and access projects and later helped transition to virtual care during the COVID pandemic. In 2020, she was promoted to Chief of Ambulatory Care and later also served as the Health Equity Officer at South Brooklyn Health.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WINS RICHARD L. DOYLE AWARD FOR INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE FROM MCG HEALTH

Earlier this week NYC Health + Hospitals received the 2024 Richard L. Doyle Award for Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare from MCG Health, which provides clinical guidance software to healthcare organizations. By using MCG solutions and creating new internal processes, NYC Health + Hospitals cut the rate of health insurance claims denials for inpatient stays in half over two years, saving the System $50 million in one fiscal year. NYC Health + Hospitals is the only healthcare provider to win the award for 2024. Health system leadership will accept the award and present their award-winning project at MCG’s Client Forum in May. As part of the award, the health system will receive a $10,000 prize, which will support further growth and development of the Utilization Management team.

DR. HOWARD J. FINGER NAMED 2025 CLINICIAN OF THE YEAR BY THE FOUNDATION FOR POST-ACUTE CARE AND LONG-TERM CARE MEDICINE

Howard J. Finger, DO was named 2025 Clinician of the Year by The Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Medicine. Dr. Finger is the longest-serving physician at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler with 40 years in post-acute and long-term care delivery. He is an attending physician, clinical ethics consultant, and Utilization Management/Quality Assurance physician advisor at NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter and NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler, two top- ranked nursing homes in New York City.

Dr. Finger is a graduate of the Des Moines University Osteopathic School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency training at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY (now called NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island).

MODERN HEALTHCARE NAMES NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ SENIOR AVP DR. HANNAH JACKSON TO “40 UNDER 40” LIST

NYC Health + Hospitals’ Senior Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Office of Ambulatory Care and Population Health Dr. Hannah Jackson has been named to Modern Healthcare’s 2025 “40 Under 40” list in recognition of her significant work improving healthcare access and equity across New York City. Dr. Jackson has led substantial improvements to access primary care at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public healthcare system in the country. Over the last year, Dr. Jackson has helped lead the growth of primary care to nearly 450,000 New Yorkers, extending care to more than 15,000 new patients compared to the year prior. With her focus on continuity between patients and their doctor, she has increased continuity to 78% in FY-24, the highest rate of continuity since the public healthcare system started measuring it several years ago. She also led the redesign of our scheduling system to improve access, and reduced our primary care no-show rate by approximately 50% in the past year, with our lowest no-show rate ever of only 26%.

Dr. Jackson earned her master’s degree in public health along with her medical degree at Harvard University. After finishing residency at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Jackson was an assistant professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine before joining NYC Health + Hospitals in 2018.

MATERNAL HEALTH

CHIEF WOMEN’S HEALTH OFFICER JOINS ALBANY PERINATAL PANEL

On Friday, February 14, Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer, represented NYC Health + Hospitals on a panel entitled “Perinatal Mental Health—A Public Health Crisis.” The Albany, NY-based panel was held in conjunction with the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislature Conference, hosted by NYC Senators Brouk and Webb, along with Assembly Member Hermelyn.

Dr. Wilcox spoke about the health care System’s Maternal Home as providing supportive care for vulnerable perinatal people, including those with mental health disorders. She also spoke about the coming RISE center and how it will provide family-centered, multidisciplinary, integrated care for families affected by perinatal substance use at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, and the leadership NYC Health + Hospitals provided in New York regarding respecting patients and requiring informed, written consent before testing for substance use in the perinatal period.

NOTED ARTIST CAROLYN LAZARD FEATURES NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST SIMULATION CENTER AND MATERNAL MORTALITY REDUCTION PROGRAM IN NEW SOLO EXHIBITION AT ARTISTS SPACE IN LOWER MANHATTAN

Tomorrow, Friday, February 28, noted artist Carolyn Lazard will debut their solo exhibition, which features in part NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst’s Simulation Center and highlights the Maternal Mortality Reduction Program there. The exhibition will take place at the Artists Space in Lower Manhattan. Lazard is a New York/Philadelphia-based visual artist and writer working across video, sculpture, performance, and installation. Their work “engages the radical possibilities of care, dependency, and collectivity, drawing from lineages of disability justice and healing justice.”

Collaborating closely with the simulation team and staff at Elmhurst Hospital and System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Machelle Allen, Lazard’s exhibition looks at maternal mortality, the history of the black women and their interaction with the western medical paradigm, and the progressive work being done at NYC Health + Hospitals in this arena.

NYC CARE

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS’ NYC CARE ANNOUNCES DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BENEFIT FOR MEMBERS

Last week NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care program launched a durable medical equipment (DME) benefit, available at all NYC Health + Hospitals facilities. The new benefit allows all ambulatory care providers to prescribe low and no-cost durable medical equipment to eligible NYC Care patients. Patients without traditional medical insurance previously had to purchase any prescribed durable medical equipment out-of-pocket. A pilot program was launched in October 2023 at the Safety Net clinics at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and Woodhull, resulting in 746 unique DME ordered for 136 patients. From the launch of the pilot program to November the most commonly ordered DME were CPAP machines + associated accessories, diabetes related supplies, mobility devices, and urinary supplies.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

RESPONDING TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS – SERVICES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

As we approach the third year since the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers to New York City began, we are seeing far fewer asylum seekers come to New York City each day. With our committed focus on providing case management to help asylum seekers in our care take their next step forward, we are also seeing that over 70% of all asylum seekers have been able to leave our system and continue their journeys.

The recent announcement of the closure of six additional Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers (HERRCs), including New York City’s Arrival Center at the Roosevelt Hotel, marks a shift in NYC Health + Hospitals’ role from ensuring every family has a safe place to sleep upon arrival to helping families take their next steps forward.

We are proud that at the City’s Arrival Center nearly 180,000 asylum seekers have been met with immediate healthcare services, including screenings for communicable diseases, urgent care, behavioral health evaluations, and vaccinations. Our humanitarian centers, which first opened in September 2022, have provided dignified, comprehensive care to more than 140,000 unique guests over the course of their nearly 900 days of 24/7 operations. Thanks to our work, we have helped administer over 100,000 vaccinations, addressed thousands of urgent health care needs, and helped over 1,400 mothers give birth to healthy babies.

From the moment the crisis began, the public hospital system stepped up to play a pivotal role that has met the needs of asylum seekers and kept those in our care and all New Yorkers healthy and safe. We remain committed to ensuring the health and well-being of asylum seekers and providing the resources they need to take meaningful steps towards stability and success.

METROPLUSHEALTH UPDATE

COLLABORATION BETWEEN MARKETING AND SALES IN THE CREATION OF A DEDICATED CALL CENTER FUELS PREDICTABLE GROWTH, ACHIEVING 600 ENROLLMENTS PER WEEK

In February 2024, the MetroPlusHealth marketing and sales teams launched a dedicated sales call center. This strategic initiative — featuring a team of community-based salespeople strategically positioned at headquarter — allows the company to directly connect marketing efforts to enrollments, providing powerful, data-driven insights to assess and enhance the effectiveness of our marketing strategies.

In about a year, enrollments surged from an average of 200 per week to 600 per week – a 300% increase. This growth is driven by the ability to track performance through unique phone numbers for each media channel, allowing the team to identify which efforts generate the most calls. Efforts have generated over 70,000 calls, which in turn, have driven the successful enrollment of more than 25,000 members. Because each channel’s performance can be tracked, it is easy to determine the ROI for each, enabling MetroPlusHealth to make more strategic, data- driven decisions on where to allocate budget for maximum effectiveness. Marketing efforts have resulted in a 4.2:1 return on investment, meaning for every $1 spent, $4.2 is earned.

Most notably, the effort has consistently achieved more than 600 enrollments per week and approximately 2,400 per month in recent months. Bringing salespeople from community offices to headquarters to focus 100% on new member enrollment has been a game-changer. By dedicating their full attention to this effort, they can drive results more effectively, ensuring a streamlined and focused approach that has contributed significantly to MetroPlusHealth’s success. With this continued momentum, the expectation is that marketing tactics will contribute to driving enrollments, and the team will keep optimizing to sustain and enhance this growth in 2025 and beyond.

External Affairs Update

City

On March 6, NYC Health + Hospitals will testify and participate in Q&A for the Preliminary Budget Hearing at the New York City Council.

State

Budget season is in full swing in Albany. Last week, the Governor proposed 30-day amendments to her a $252 billion all funds budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26, which begins April 1, 2025.

We are advocating for restoration of a proposed cut to our Indigent Care Pool (ICP) payment, as well as for increased funding in Medicaid rates for health centers, nursing homes, and hospitals and restoring last year’s capital reimbursement cuts. Safety Net providers, like NYC Health + Hospitals, would benefit from having Medicaid pay the full cost of delivering care.

As the budget process proceeds, we will continue advocating for support of NYC Health + Hospitals and the patients and communities we serve. We are grateful our partners in the State legislature understands the critical role our safety net system plays. We also appreciate our Community Advisory Boards for their support in these important efforts.

Federal

Congress is negotiating three different spending packages at the moment. For Fiscal year 2025, funding was extended via the Continuing Resolution through March 14, as well as telehealth flexibilities and

the delay of Medicaid DSH cuts. The Medicaid DSH cuts are extended through March 31.

For Fiscal year 2026, it is set to begin October 1, and discussion is underway for Appropriation bills. Lastly, is budget reconciliation, which requires a simple majority in the House to pass and can include major policy proposals as long as they have fiscal impact.

Congressional Republicans would like to use a budget reconciliation vehicle to pass many of the Trump Administration’s legislative priorities which include extending tax cuts, funding border security, and more. To pay for these policies, Congress is considering making significant cuts to Medicaid and other social service programs.

As these negotiations continue, we will continue to advocate for supporting NYC Health + Hospitals and the Federal funding that keeps our system afloat, focusing on Medicaid and Medicaid DSH.

Community Affairs

The Community Affairs Team has visited four Auxiliary meetings for February at Cumberland, Kings County, Woodhill, and South Brooklyn Health. Additionally, The Population Health team joined the Council of CABs on February 4 to present “Achieving Health Equity at NYC Health + Hospitals.”

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYSTEM

• Gothamist: A look inside NYC’s ‘safe haven’ shelters, an alternative to sleeping in the streets and subway
• The Cut: Parents of trans children in NYC are outraged as hospitals quietly shift their approach to gender-affirming care
• STAT: Q&A: New York’s plan for boosting life expectancy, neighborhood by neighborhood
• New York Observer: Museums as Medicine? The Growing Trend of Art Prescriptions
• PIX11: Ben Aaron Interviews HERRC Asylum Seeker Artist Roger Miranda
• The New Yorker: Where Do Trans Kids Go from Here?
• Becker’s Hospital Review: NYC Health + Hospitals program offers discounted medical equipment
• City & State New York: The 2025 New York City Power 100
• World Harlem Magazine: Dr. Hannah Jackson Named To Modern Healthcare’s Prestigious 40 Under Forty
• Politics NY: 2025 Black Power Players
• Salon: In a health care system bent on their erasure, intersex people continue fighting for recognition
• USA Today: Everything to know about cystic fibrosis and what causes it
• Bronx Times: Schneps Media honors many of the borough’s best at its annual Bronx Power List event