NYC Health + Hospitals Issues Request for Proposals to Partner With Community-Based Organizations in Manhattan, Queens as NYC Care Rolls Out City-Wide in September
CBOs will conduct culturally sensitive outreach to prospective NYC Care members Existing Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island CBO partnerships will be extended to ensure New Yorkers across all five boroughs are connected to ongoing care to help address the impact COVID-19 has on our city's most vulnerable communities
Jul 06, 2020
NYC Health + Hospitals today issued a request for proposals (RFP) to partner with community-based organizations (CBOs) in Manhattan and Queens to help engage prospective NYC Care members as the program expands city-wide in September 2020. As part of a broad outreach strategy, selected CBOs will conduct culturally sensitive and inclusivity focused outreach to prospective NYC Care members as part of their partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals as of the September launch. In addition to the new RFP in Manhattan and Queens, NYC Health + Hospitals will extend existing Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island CBO partnerships at existing funding levels to ensure all New Yorkers in need of access to health care are being connected with affordable primary, preventive, and specialty health care. This access is even more important considering the impact COVID-19 has on New Yorkers who are not eligible or cannot afford health insurance. The RFPfor Manhattan and Queens CBOs can be found on the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City webpage.
“NYC Health + Hospitals is grateful for community partnerships that the health system has throughout the city that allows for more New Yorkers to access necessary healthcare to live healthier, longer lives,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Access to comprehensive, quality care has always been foundational to the City’s public health system, but the current COVID-19 pandemic has woken a new sense of urgency to address health disparities among the hardest hit communities in all five boroughs. NYC Care will continue to bridge these gaps and make New Yorkers healthier.”
“We’re looking forward to continue our work with respected community-based organizations throughout the city to ensure we’re connecting all New Yorkers with the healthcare they need and deserve,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President for Ambulatory Care Ted Long, MD, MHS. “With the help of our community-based partners, we’ll continue to engage New Yorkers and provide health care, which is a human right, especially considering the global health crisis we continue to address.”
“Our city has seen firsthand with COVID-19 how critical it is to ensure that every New Yorker, regardless of immigration status, has access to and confidence receiving care. Yet, due to the Trump administration’s dangerous anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions we continue to hear that our communities have feared seeking care and treatment for COVID-19,” said Bitta Mostofi, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “By engaging with trusted community-based organizations to lead both linguistically and culturally competent outreach efforts in Manhattan and Queens, we look forward to connecting even more New Yorkers, who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance based on federal guidelines, to NYC Care. Healthcare is a human right and in New York City we are leading the way to deliver that promise to all of our communities.”
By September 2020, every eligible New Yorker in the hardest-hit communities by COVID-19 will have access to guaranteed health care through the expansion of NYC Care to Queens and Manhattan, regardless of income or immigration status. This includes hiring 26 providers to ensure a primary care appointment for patients new to our system within two weeks, public education materials, financial counseling services, and expanded pharmacy hours, and access to low or no-cost primary, preventive, and specialty care within the NYC Health + Hospitals system.
“The work that our community partners do to promote access to primary, preventive, and specialty care is central to the success of NYC Care”, said NYC Health + Hospitals Executive Director for NYC Care, Marielle Kress. “Continuing to partner with these trusted voices in the communities most in need of equitable access to care will help us deliver the promise of guaranteed care for all New Yorkers, regardless of income or immigration status. I am proud to continue to work with the outstanding organizations with whom we already partner with and look forward to selecting a new group of trusted community-based organizations to lead culturally competent outreach efforts in Manhattan and Queens.”
NYC Care currently contracts with 15 CBOs In the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island to conduct culturally appropriate outreach to prospective NYC Care members as part of their partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals. These organizations include: BronxWorks, Emerald Isle, Mekong, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Sauti Yetu Center for African Women, Single Stop, Make the Road NYC, Council of People’s Organizations, The JCC of Greater Coney Island, Shorefront JCC, Mixteca, Brighton Neighborhood Association, Arab-American Family Support Center, Project Hospitality, and African Refuge. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) and The Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, NYC Health + Hospitals will extend the partnership with all currently contracted outreach CBOs to help enroll New Yorkers in NYC Care across Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island communities hardest-hit by the pandemic.
To date, nearly 25,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in NYC Care. Of the current members, approximately 68 percent are below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, and 92 percent are below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, demonstrating that the program meets the needs of the City’s most vulnerable residents. Nearly 71 percent are between 30 and 59 years of age, and the oldest member is 99 years old. Approximately 57 percent are Spanish speakers and other top languages include Russian, Albanian, French, and Polish.
The city-wide expansion of NYC Care will continue to address the lasting impact COVID-19 had on communities across the City.
“I am excited to see our city hospitals laying the groundwork for the NYC Care program’s citywide roll-out. After the disparities we witnessed during recent months, it is important to ensure that low-income and vulnerable New Yorkers are connected to health care – what better way than to partner with local, trusted organizations to help uninsured communities know that these services are available to them. I look forward to seeing these partnerships result in greater health care equity and access for all,” said Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals.
“NYC Care has been a huge success in The Bronx and I am thrilled to see this vital service expanded to serve the health needs of New Yorkers in all five boroughs. High quality health care is key in improving the overall health outcomes of our most vulnerable community members and the expansion of this program ensures that even those who cannot afford health insurance will have access to the services they need. Thank you to NYC Health + Hospitals for keeping our communities healthy and for doing so much to close the health equity gap in The Bronx and New York City,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“The Bronx has suffered greatly during the pandemic, with the highest rate of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths per capita of the five boroughs. This has made it tragically clear just how important it is to guarantee access to healthcare services for every Bronx resident. I am grateful to NYC Health + Hospitals for their extension of community-based partnerships to enroll Bronxites in NYC Care, and look forward to the program’s continued success,” said Senator Alessandra Biaggi.
“The COVID-19 public health emergency has been a somber reminder that every single New Yorker deserves access to quality healthcare,” said Senator LeRoy Comrie. “I commend Mayor de Blasio for facilitating partnerships between community-based organizations and NYC Health + Hospitals to guarantee access to healthcare for all regardless of individual circumstances. Guaranteed healthcare is not only equitable, but it strengthens our city as a whole. I encourage CBOs in Senate District 14 and throughout Queens to work with the city on this important initiative.”
“I applaud Mayor De Blasio’s announcement of NYC Care’s expansion into Manhattan and Queens on September 1, 2020,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “As Chair of the New York State Senate’s Committee on Social Services, it is critical that New Yorkers have access to medical care. I am delighted knowing that now New Yorkers in every borough will be able to access affordable health coverage.”
“Ensuring every New Yorker has greater access to health insurance is crucial in the midst of a public health crisis, more importantly, when COVID-19 has ravaged our most vulnerable communities and has amplified the many structural inequalities that have existed for years,” said Senator Luis Sepulveda. “Now more than ever, we need Community based organizations from all the five boroughs to synchronize and work together to provide critical outreach, especially in historically underserved communities such as my district in the Bronx.”
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 highlighted the disparities in health care access across New York City,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “It is important that we increase efforts on a long-term basis to eliminate the disparities and assure quality health care for all New Yorkers. The expansion of the NYC Care program is an incredible step toward increased equity.”
“It is critically important that Bronxites and all New Yorkers continue to have access to affordable healthcare regardless of income or immigration status. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the barriers to healthcare that continue to disproportionately impact our most vulnerable communities,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen. “Despite the extensive hospital system providing quality care in the Bronx, far too many residents continue to go without necessary medical care. Throughout this crisis, local community based organizations have stepped up to the plate in a time of need, working tirelessly to help close these gaps and connect residents to vital services. I thank Mayor de Blasio and NYC Health + Hospitals for supporting their ongoing work and fighting to protect healthcare access for every New Yorker.”
“There could not be a better time to help New York City residents get access to medical care as our City continues to fight off what remains of Covid-19,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “NYC Care will be very beneficial for New Yorkers and I urge the relevant Community-Based Organizations to apply and be a part of the Request for Proposal to conduct culturally sensitive outreach to prospective NYC Care members. Thank you to NYC Health + Hospitals and the Mayor’s office for working to make this happen.”
“Access to healthcare should not be limited by employment or economic status, but unfortunately it is in our current system. The service provided by NYC Care can be a lifeline to communities, especially now that so many are facing economic uncertainty. I am happy to see it expanded throughout the 5 boroughs, where it can help as many New Yorkers as possible,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare our dire need for universal healthcare, and every step we can take forward towards that ultimate goal is important,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “NYC Care is focusing on the right issues and I am glad to see the program extended in the Bronx for six months. New York cannot rest until we ensure that all of us have easy access to affordable and high-quality preventative and emergency medical treatment.”
“The NYC Care program has helped many immigrants in Brooklyn gain access to medical treatment and services. I believe that every New Yorker should have access to healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic background or where they were born,” said Assemblyman Rodneyse Bichotte. “My district of Flatbush, Brooklyn, which is inhabited by many immigrants and essential workers, was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. It is paramount that this community receives access to medical care during this unprecedented public health crisis. Without these initiatives, the virus will continue to disproportionately infect and kill people of color, in communities like the one I live in and represent.”
“NYC Care launched last year with a mission to bring comprehensive health care to all New Yorkers. As the program undergoes its final expansion into Queens and Manhattan, I am pleased to know the city will partner with CBOs who will ensure the most vulnerable New Yorkers from all backgrounds will now get health care when its most needed,” said Assembly Member Mathylde Frontus.
“The Brighton Neighborhood Association, Inc., is proud to be part of the NYC Care program “team” as it enters its second phase in Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island,” said Pat Singer, Founder and Executive Director, Brighton Neighborhood Association. “Too many people are walking around our city with no health coverage because they do not qualify, or cannot afford a plan. NYC Care levels the playing field and fills the need of these economically stressed residents. We have seen so many parents come in to sign up their children to Medicaid and walk out with no coverage for themselves. Thanks to NYC Care everyone will have an opportunity to have access to health care which is especially important as we fight every day to survive COVID-19.”
“Project Hospitality provides comprehensive social services to many uninsured Staten Islanders, some of whom have struggled to access affordable routine medical care and specialty services,” said Rev. Karen Jackson, Director of Recovery and Community Initiatives, Project Hospitality. “The NYC Care program provides our community members with a clear avenue to a primary care physician and many other hard-to-access medical services for the uninsured, including mental health services. We are proud to serve as a CBO assisting our uninsured clients in enrolling in NYC Care.”
“As a human services provider, JCCGCI is acutely aware that there are many indigent individuals and families who have struggled with the unconscionable choice between basic human needs such as food and shelter — or seeing a doctor,” said Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of JCCGCI. “We are thus delighted and honored to be part of the NYC Care initiative which is tasked to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to the health care they need. We applaud Mayor de Blasio and his administration for making this a top priority.”
“Single Stop has been honored to participate in the NYC Care Program during this crucial time for New York City residents,” said Sarah Crawford, National Director, Partnerships, and Programs of Single Stop. “Our team has been able to conduct important outreach in the community regarding health care and other critical supports as New Yorkers face new and different challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are glad to see the program extended and look forward to continuing to serve NYC in this way.”
“The Arab-American Family Support Center is proud to extend our partnership with the NYC Health + Hospitals system on the NYC Care initiative,” said Rawaa Nancy Albilal, President and CEO of the Arab-American Family Support Center. “COVID-19 has laid bare the urgency of our effort to connect all New Yorkers with affordable, accessible health care. We remain deeply committed to fostering equity, justice, and well-being, regardless of race, income, or immigration status.”
“We at Emerald Isle Immigration Center feel very proud to be able to continue our community outreach efforts in the Bronx for the NYC Care program for another six months,” said Juan Carlos Grajeda, Bilingual Program Manager at Emerald Isle Immigration Center. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we must continue protecting our vulnerable communities, as they battle and attempt to mitigate its impact and connecting our clients and the Bronx community to preventive care and medical services regardless of immigration status with pride, respect and dignity. We look forward to continuing our partnership.”
“We at RUSA LGBT are very happy that Manhattan and Queens will be getting direct help from NYC Care through this expansion. It can help support more of our members across the city who need healthcare but don’t qualify for health insurance,” said Yelena Goltsman, Founder and Co-President, RUSA LGBT.
“Sauti Yetu is excited to see the continuation of our partnership with NYC Care,” said Hager Shawkat, MPH, Program Director of Community Wellness at Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families. “Being able to offer vital resources to this community is critical. Our outreach worker, Sekou Kromah, has shared how African and other immigrant community members appreciate that NYC Care was created as an opportunity for uninsured people to access quality healthcare.”
“AIDS Center of Queens County has been doing outreach for 35 years, and as a result, we have been at the forefront for ensuring that quality and comprehensive health care is available for all clients, including the undocumented population. It is imperative that we allocate resources to achieve health care goals that affect the clients that we serve at all socioeconomic levels throughout the borough of Queens,” said Rosemary Lopez, Executive Director of AIDS Center of Queens County.
“We support the Mayor’s commitment to increase access to quality, affordable health care services to all New Yorkers through the NYC Care program. The combination of expanding the program to Queens and Manhattan ahead of schedule and this community-based outreach effort will ensure more people will get the much-needed health care they deserve,” said Paloma Izquierdo-Hernandez, President and CEO, Urban Health Plan.
NYC Care, run out of NYC Health + Hospitals, is a part of the Mayor’s Guaranteed Care initiative, offering quality health care services at low or no-cost to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance based on federal guidelines. The program, which launched in August.2019 and is currently operating in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, dramatically changes the way the City’s public health system connects people to personalized, coordinated primary and preventive care at its 70-plus patient care locations throughout the five boroughs, including 11 hospitals and its Gotham Health Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network. NYC Care offers members affordable medications day and night, culturally responsive and community-based care, the offer of an appointment with a primary care provider for patients new to Health + Hospitals within two weeks of enrollment, extensive language access and interpretation services, and provides new 24/7 customer service support. Eligible New Yorkers can enroll by calling 646-NYC-CARE to talk to a financial counselor, make a care appointment, and receive a personalized NYC Care membership card in the mail.