ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Chair: Annette Choolfaian
Vice-Chair: Phyllis Lusskin

ADVOCACY June 2008 In honor of Father's Day, urged WCC members to contact state officials in support of Paid Family Leave. April 2008 Urged US Dept. of Labor to maintain integrity of Family and Medical Leave Act. Result of WCC's advocacy. January 2008 WCC comments on the Proposed Licensure of Assisted Living Residences were submitted to the New York State Department of Health Division of Home and Community-Based Services and the Office of Regulatory Affairs. As a member of the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC), WCC participated in the development and publishing of Affordable Assisted Living: A White Paper for State Policy Makers. WCC Statement of Principles for Universal Health Care - Revised January 2008 January 2008 - Urges City Council to support Green Cart legislation to improve health of NYC children. December 5, 2007 - Testimony before the State Office of Health Insurance Programs, NYS Department of Health and the NYS Insurance Department in support of universal health care. July 2007 Letter to Commissioner Mills, NYS Education Dept. regarding S-CHIP

The Health Issues Committee (HIC) promotes public policies to improve the public’s health with special emphasis on overcoming barriers to accessing care for New York’s low income and immigrant populations. Universal healthcare coverage and the elimination of financial barriers to health care are goals of the committee. The committee also advocates for policies that retain and expand coverage for New Yorkers. The HIC works with other organizations and coalitions to achieve its goals.

In addition to the annually reviewed and determined priorities, the committee identifies and responds to emerging critical issues. The HIC sponsors public educational forums and conferences, and initiates advocacy efforts. It ensures the WCC membership is made aware of public health issues and the need to support health care legislation and other advocacy actions through the WCC website and email alerts. The committee develops and publishes literature and documents about pertinent health care issues to educate, empower and enlighten the WCC membership, related organizations, elected officials and the public. To expand both its reach and impact, the committee collaborates with other organizations.

The Health Issues Committee is composed of practicing and retired health professionals, professionals in related fields and interested WCC members. Committee members accept specific assignments to work on priority health issues. As needed, graduate students conduct research for background and studies.

2007 – 2008 PRIORITIES

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS
Work in coalition with other groups to promote policies to achieve universal health care coverage, including but not limited to:
• Citizens Committee for Children
• Medicaid Matters NY (MMNY)
• New York Network for Action on Medicare and Social Security (NYNAMSS).
• Physicians for a National Health Program
• Public Health Association of New York City (PHANYC)
• Rekindling Reform
WCC is a member of and monitors such groups, and is represented on them by a member of the Health Issues Committee.

ACCESS TO QUALITY & AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
• Promote policies to eliminate financial barriers to access quality health care
• Promote policies to improve the quality of and access to healthcare for target populations including adolescents, older adults, immigrant populations, and victims of sexual assault

NYS HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, INCLUDING LONG TERM CARE SERVICES
• Monitor New York State and other nongovernmental groups’ activities in the review of the availability and adequacy of Health Care Facilities in New York State, including Long Term Care services.