Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the number of Section 1557 complaints NYC Health + Hospitals (H&H) received related to disability discrimination in the past year and the organization's process for handling such complaints. Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer at H&H, responds with information on complaint handling and escalation procedures.

• H&H reports no documented complaints regarding disability discrimination in response to Section 1557
• The organization has a centralized grievance mechanism with patient experience officers at each facility for initial intake
• Complaints are also brought to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• No documented complaints have been escalated to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services