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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Noelle Peñas, Health Justice Community Organizer at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI)

2:22:34

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Noelle Peñas, representing NYLPI, thanked the city council for supporting the immigrant health initiative and requested increased funding for fiscal year 2026. She highlighted NYLPI's work in providing healthcare screenings, connecting detained individuals with doctors, and advocating for organ transplant equity.

Requested a $650,000 allocation from the city council's immigrant healthcare initiative for fiscal year 2026
Called for continued and expanded funding for public health infrastructure, including NYC Care
Expressed concern about the mayor not expanding funding or scope of NYC Care to meet the needs of uninsured and immigrant New Yorkers

Noelle Peñas

2:22:34

Good afternoon.

2:22:35

My name is Noelle Penais, I'm the health justice community organizer with NOPE New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.

2:22:43

At the outset, we want to thank the city council for continuing the immigrant health initiative, which has directly supported NOPE's program serving immigrant communities.

2:22:53

I also want to thank Chair NYSIS for your ongoing partnership collaborating with advocacy for organ transplant equity.

2:23:00

In 2024, your support through IHI has allowed us to conduct comprehensive immigration and health care screenings for over 100 New Yorkers.

2:23:10

You are connected more than 50 people in detention to volunteer doctors through our medical providers network, and many of our clients are also getting better care, better access to care, and moving forward evaluations for organ transplants.

2:23:26

Under increased immigration enforcement, we have been receiving increased requests for Know Your Rights trainings, and we've also been providing trainings on how healthcare providers can ensure safer medical spaces for patients at risk.

2:23:40

And due to the growing complexity of immigration cases under a hostile federal administration, we are seeking a 650,000 allocation from the city council's immigrant healthcare initiative in the fiscal year twenty twenty six.

2:23:54

This request includes the 435,000 allocated in the fiscal year twenty twenty five and an enhancement to support the increase in need from the previous fiscal year.

2:24:04

We also call for a continued and expanded funding for a public health infrastructure, including NYC Care.

2:24:11

We are concerned that the mayor has not expanded funding or the scope of New York City care to meet the needs of uninsured and immigrant New Yorkers.

2:24:20

There's also a critical need to expand the medical housing support systems available to H and H patients and keeping federally qualified health centers accessible to all New Yorkers regardless of insurance status and their ability to pay.

2:24:34

We appreciate your leadership in defending the human rights of immigrants, and we look forward to continuing our work improving immigrant New York's access to health care.

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Testimony by Mackenzie Aranda, Public Policy Fellow from New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, on Sexual Assault Services in NYC Hospitals