PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Osvaldo Garcia, Member of the Public
3:44:28
ยท
91 sec
Osvaldo Garcia, a resident of East Harlem with roots in the South Bronx and Washington Heights, testified in support of the Doctors Council. He shared a personal story about a childhood asthma attack to illustrate the importance of public hospitals for vulnerable communities and emphasized the need for fair contracts for physicians at NYC Health + Hospitals.
- Garcia highlighted the financial barriers to healthcare access, mentioning his family's need to take a taxi instead of an ambulance due to cost concerns
- He stressed the vital role of public hospital doctors in caring for vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers, homeless individuals, and those with mental health challenges
- Garcia urged the City Council to invest in fair contracts for physicians to ensure continued quality care for vulnerable New Yorkers, arguing it would be more cost-effective in the long run
Osvaldo Garcia
3:44:28
Garcia.
3:44:29
Hello, everyone.
3:44:30
My name is Osvaldo Garcia.
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I was raised in the South Bronx, born in Washington Heights, and currently live in East Harlem, and I'm here in support of the doctor's council.
3:44:39
When I was about 4 years old, I had my first asthma attack, and I'll never forget the horror on my mother's face as she ordered a taxi to take me to the nearest public hospital.
3:44:50
Sorry.
3:44:50
Let me just take off my mask real quick.
3:44:53
And she ordered a taxi, and I wanna emphasize a taxi because calling an ambulance was too expensive.
3:44:59
And this is a harsh reality for many South Bronx residents who face many burdens, including environmental health injustices and financial insecurity.
3:45:07
And public hospitals are a lifeline for families like mine, serving not only individuals with chronic conditions, but also some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
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These doctors at our facility is working tirelessly to care for a number of vulnerable, populations, asylum seekers, people experiencing homelessness, New Yorkers with mental health challenges, new immigrants, and more.
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And their dedication ensures that these populations receive the care that they need, and preventing them from ending up in our city jails, shelters, or on the streets, where managing their needs, may cost taxpayers far more in the long run.
3:45:42
So if the city if city council truly does care and is truly committed to making our city safer and managing taxpayer dollars responsibly, it must ensure that health and hospitals and its affiliates invest in a fair contract for these physicians so they can continue to deliver the quality care that vulnerable New Yorkers depend on.
3:45:58
Thank you.