PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Max Fisher, New York City Resident, on Supporting H+H Doctors
3:53:07
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Max Fisher, a New York City resident, testifies in support of Health + Hospitals (H+H) doctors during ongoing contract negotiations. He argues that prioritizing cost-cutting over patient care is jeopardizing the city's well-being and emphasizes the importance of high-quality medical care for poor and working-class residents.
- Fisher critiques H+H CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz's characterization of the negotiations as complicated, suggesting it's a rhetorical strategy.
- He warns that if doctors walk out, New Yorkers will stand with the physicians, similar to the support shown during the nurses' strike two years ago.
- Fisher highlights the contrast between the city's wealth disparity and the need for equitable healthcare access.
Max Fisher
3:53:07
Great.
3:53:09
So my name is Max Fisher.
3:53:13
I'm a New York City resident, and I'm testifying as a community member in support of our city's h and h doctors.
3:53:20
I think a lot of the previous speakers have, elucidated the the issues at the heart of these negotiations as well.
3:53:26
So, I don't feel the need to go, deeper into those, but I do just wanna say that doctor Katz, the H and H CEO, said both bargaining parties want the same thing, an equitable contract that meets physician's needs, achieving adequate recruitment and retention.
3:53:43
Unfortunately, he said, the health system and bargaining issues are complicated.
3:53:48
They're multifaceted, nuanced, convoluted, and so on.
3:53:53
If I were on his side of the bargaining table, this is exactly what my rhetorical strategy would be.
3:53:59
But while I think we can all acknowledge this complexity, the core issue is clear from having heard all the testimony today.
3:54:07
Prioritizing cost cutting over patient care is jeopardizing the well-being of our city.
3:54:13
These doctors provide vital services to our poor and working class neighbors who deserve high quality medical care regardless of income or life circumstances.
3:54:22
This work not only makes our city safer, but also helps prevent higher long term social and financial costs associated with lack of treatment.
3:54:30
This is especially critical in a city with more millionaires and billionaires than any other in our country.
3:54:36
Finally, the council should seriously consider the following.
3:54:40
If doctors walk out, New Yorkers will stand unequivocally with the physicians who keep our city safe and healthy.
3:54:47
This is what we saw when Nizem and nurses who had strike 2 years ago, and this is exactly what we'll see this time.
3:54:53
Thank you.