Lynn C. Schulman
0:05:56
Thank you, chair Narcisse, and thank all all of you for joining us for today's very important hearing.
0:06:02
As many of you know, primary care is the cornerstone of a healthy community.
0:06:06
It is the first line of defense against preventable diseases, the key to managing chronic conditions, and the essential element in ensuring that every person has the opportunity to lead a long, healthy life.
0:06:17
Yet despite its importance, too many people, especially in underserved areas, continue to face barriers in accessing the care they need.
0:06:25
At the same time, our nation is grappling with a significant shortage of primary care physicians.
0:06:30
According to recent reports, we face an alarming deficit of tens of thousands of primary care providers nationwide.
0:06:37
This shortage is expected to worsen over the next decade, putting even greater strain on our already overburdened health care system.
0:06:45
The implications of this crisis are far reaching, longer wait times, increased emergency room visits, and a growing number of individuals without a consistent, trusted health care provider.
0:06:55
Here in New York City, we are not immune to these challenges.
0:06:58
In fact, the need for accessible, high quality primary care is even more pronounced given our city's diversity, the health disparities that persist across different communities, and the unique challenges presented by our urban environment.
0:07:12
That is why the city of New York has launched the Healthy NYC campaign, an initiative that aims to tackle these issues head on.
0:07:18
Healthy NYC is not just about approving healthcare access, it's about creating a sustainable, equitable health health care system that provides every New Yorker with the care they deserve, when they need it, and where they need it.
0:07:30
Through this campaign, we are focusing on strengthening, extending life expectancy of all New Yorkers by strengthening our primary care infrastructure, expanding the availability of healthcare professionals, and fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between healthcare providers and underserved communities.
0:07:48
We know that quality primary care leads to better health outcomes.
0:07:52
It improves early detection, encourages preventive care, and ultimately reduces the need for costly crisis driven interventions.
0:08:00
But to make this a reality, we must address the underlying issues, chief among them the shortage of primary care physicians within our public hospital systems.
0:08:08
As we move forward with the Healthy NYC campaign, we are committed to working collaboratively with healthcare providers, policy makers, and community organizations to
0:08:17
a system that works for everyone.
0:08:19
By increasing the pipeline for primary care providers, investing in training programs, ensuring that physicians are adequately compensated, addressing physician burnout, and expanding access to care, we can build a healthier, more equitable future for all New Yorkers.
0:08:35
Thank all of you for your continued commitment to the health and well-being of the city and its residents.
0:08:39
I look forward to a productive discussion on how we can collectively address these pressing issues and ensure and ensure that every New Yorker has access to the care they need.
0:08:51
I wanna conclude by thanking chair Narcisse, chair De La Rosa, members of the administration, the committee staff, and my own staff for their work on this hearing.
0:09:00
Before I pass the mic on to chair De La Rosa, I wanna acknowledge we've been joined by council member Batche.
0:09:05
I will now pass the mic to chair de la Rosa for her opening statement.
