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Council Member Lynn Schulman's opening remarks on cooling centers and extreme heat
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4 min
Council Member Lynn Schulman opens the hearing by introducing Introduction 998, which aims to codify the cooling center program, and Resolution 822, calling for the passage of the Fair Pricing Act. She emphasizes the increasing threat of extreme heat due to climate change, its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, and the importance of accessible cooling centers.
- Schulman highlights that extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related event in NYC, with 570 premature deaths in 2024.
- She points out disparities in cooling center accessibility, noting Queens has the lowest number per capita.
- The council member stresses the need to update and pass Introduction 998 to ensure vital access to cooling centers for all New Yorkers.
Lynn C. Schulman
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Thank you.
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Good morning.
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I am council member Lynn Schulman, chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Health.
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Thank thank you all for joining us at today's hearing on introduction number nine ninety eight, sponsored by council member Keith Powers, which would codify the cooling center program.
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We will also be hearing resolution eight twenty two, sponsored by myself, which would call on the New York legislature to pass and the governor to sign the Fair Pricing Act, which would cap the cost of routine medical procedures at 150% of the cost paid by Medicare for the same services.
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Before we begin, I would like to recognize the following council members, council member Keith Powers, and remotely, we've been joined by council member Amarado Mamorado and council member Menon.
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As climate change accelerates, New York City will continue to face longer, more frequent, and more intense heat waves.
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The science is clear.
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Extreme heat is the deadliest weather related event we face, surpassing hurricanes and winter storms.
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According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, urban areas like New York City are more susceptible to extreme heat because of the heat island effect, where heat absorbing surfaces like roads and buildings elevate temperatures to deadly levels.
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The heat island effect increases the risk of heat related illnesses and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations, including older adults and people with disabilities.
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In fact, the city's built environment is making temperatures almost 10 degrees hotter for the average resident than they would be otherwise, according to a study by the nonprofit Climate Central.
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According to DOHMH's most recent heat mortality report, extreme heat events led to five hundred and seventy premature deaths in New York City in 2024 from heat preventable illnesses, a significant increase from the number initially reported, which was three hundred and forty.
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The impact of extreme heat is not felt equally.
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Certain neighborhoods in our city, many of them historically underserved communities, are at the highest risk and experience disproportionate heat exposure due to limited tree cover, dense infrastructure, and higher poverty rates.
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Residents in these areas are more likely to suffer severe health consequences from extreme heat.
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Unfortunately, some of the boroughs with the greatest need also have the lowest number of cooling centers.
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My borough of Queens had the lowest number of cooling centers per 100,000 residents according to a 2022 report from the New York City Controller.
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Per that same report, East Flatbush in Brooklyn was significantly underserved by cooling centers as well with only two available for over 162,000 residents.
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That is completely unacceptable.
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Cooling centers are a lifeline, especially for our most vulnerable populations, older adults, low income residents, and those with underlying health conditions.
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Yet gaps in cooling center accessibility mean that many New Yorkers remain at risk during dangerous heat waves.
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That is why introduction number nine ninety eight is so important.
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The bill has been around for numerous council sessions and has failed across the finish line as of yet, but that is going to change.
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Because of its longevity, there are aspects of the bill that need updating, but we will work to ensure that the final version includes everything necessary to codify a program that is such a vital lifeline for New Yorkers and their health.
0:03:43
In closing, as extreme weather events become more frequent and deadlier to our health, it is more important than ever to ensure that every New Yorker can access affordable and quality health care.
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That is why I am proud to sponsor resolution eight twenty two, which calls on the state to pass and the governor to sign the Fair Pricing Act, which would enact a neutral payment policy for routine medical procedure medical services to ensure that New Yorkers are not charged arbitrarily high prices because of hospital market power.
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I want to conclude by thanking council member Powers on his leadership with this bill, the administration for being here, as well as the dedicated organizations, advocates and members of the public.
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I also want to thank my staff as well as the committee staff for their preparation for this hearing.
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I I wanna acknowledge that we've been joined by council member Narcisse, and I will now pass the mic to council member Powers to make a statement on introduction number nine ninety eight.