PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jennyfer Almanzar, Representative from CIR/SEIU
2:16:25
ยท
107 sec
Jennyfer Almanzar, representing CIR/SEIU, testified about the importance of NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H) to the community and the current challenges faced by doctors. She emphasized the need for fair contract negotiations and investments in physicians to ensure quality care for vulnerable populations.
- Shared personal experience of benefiting from H+H care as a New York City resident
- Highlighted issues of shorter appointment times and staffing shortages affecting patient care
- Called for PAGNY, Mount Sinai, and H+H to negotiate in good faith to avoid a potential doctors' strike
- Drew parallels to the recent successful contract negotiations for H+H residents
Jennyfer Almanzar
2:16:25
Good afternoon, city council.
2:16:27
My name is Jennifer Almonds, and I'm here, to testify on behalf of CIRSCIU representing over 6,000 residents in New York City and as someone who has directly benefited from New York City Health and Hospitals.
2:16:38
As someone who grew up in New York City and received care at the public hospitals, I've seen firsthand how vital h and h is to our communities.
2:16:45
These facilities were a lifeline for my family and for so many others who rely on them just not for health care, but for hope and dignity.
2:16:52
As someone who has benefited from the attention and expertise in New York City's public hospital doctors, I know the importance of a thorough patient doctor relationship.
2:17:00
But today, many families don't get that.
2:17:03
Shorter appointment times and critical staffing shortages mean that doctors struggle to properly address their patients' needs.
2:17:09
This this disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, especially working class patients of color, immigrants, incarcerated folks, and refugees, those who have no other options.
2:17:19
What we need now is for PAGNY, Mount Sinai, and H and H to come into the table in good faith.
2:17:23
Our public hospitals doctors don't want to strike.
2:17:26
They're being forced to buy an attainable system of medicine in New York City and across the country, a system that prioritizes budgets over lives and cuts corners at the expense of care.
2:17:36
H and H is meant to be a beacon of something different, and that is what it was for my family.
2:17:40
As they demand a fair contract, the physicians' members of doctor councils are fighting to ensure our public hospitals fulfill the promise to the people of New York.
2:17:48
This is the same fight that members of committee of interns and residents took on last year.
2:17:53
After months of sustained actions, they secured a contract that will support h and h residents and patients for years to come.
2:17:59
Now the time has come to do the same for the attending coworkers.
2:18:02
The solutions are clear.
2:18:04
The solutions are as clear as they've ever been.
2:18:06
Respect the work the doctors do.
2:18:08
Invest in them and let them do their jobs without fear of burnout and neglecting their patients.
2:18:12
Thank you.