Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Patricia Wong, Representative from New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYLPI)
4:40:07
·
156 sec
Patricia Wong from New York Lawyers for Public Interest (NYLPI) testifies on urgent issues affecting their client communities, including HRA understaffing, the need for resources to help nonprofits face politicized threats, and funding for immigrant health initiatives.
- Requests adequate staffing and funding for HRA to address delays in health insurance enrollment
- Seeks $200,000 grant for FY2026 to support 600-800 organizations through NYLPI's nonprofit resiliency network
- Asks for restoration and enhancement of funding for the immigrant health initiative, with an allocation of $650,000 for FY2026
Patricia Wong
4:40:07
Good afternoon Chair Brennan and Deputy Speaker Ayala and members of council.
4:40:13
My name is Patricia Wong.
4:40:14
I'm here on behalf of New York Lawyers for Public Interest, also known as NELPI.
4:40:18
I would like to thank you all for this opportunity to testify.
4:40:21
NELPI is a community driven legal organization working in the areas of civil rights and health, disability, immigrant, and environmental justice.
4:40:29
I'm here to raise before the council urgent issues affecting our client communities.
4:40:33
To begin, NOPE's health justice practice works to bring an equity and immigrant justice focus to health and advocacy.
4:40:40
We continue to find that due to HRA understaffing, our clients experience unnecessary delays and systemic barriers to enrolling in urgently needed health insurance.
4:40:49
Bureaucratic inefficiencies and understaffing have routinely caused delays lasting weeks or months and led to wrongful denials for otherwise eligible individuals.
4:40:57
These issues leave vulnerable people without essential resources and benefits and result in severe consequences.
4:41:03
We ask the council to ensure that HRA is adequately staffed and funded to meet the needs of New Yorkers.
4:41:10
I'm also here to raise before the council a critical need for resources to help nonprofits in the city, especially for those organizations responding to the politicized threats and to prepare to face scrutiny under this current federal administration.
4:41:23
In New York City, many nonprofits operate with limited resources and are unprepared for legal challenges that could disrupt their work.
4:41:30
NOPE is building upon our existing work focused on strengthening and protecting the city's nonprofit sector with the launch of the nonprofit resiliency network.
4:41:38
This network specifically focuses on rapid response and risk mitigation for nonprofits facing politicized legal threats.
4:41:45
NOPE is supporting organizations that are currently the direct targets of federal agencies.
4:41:50
Are standing up against those attempting to conduct raids, chill advocacy, and clawback funding for vital services.
4:41:56
Central to this effort is our work providing informational resources, hosting events and workshops, facilitating limited scope consultations and legal representation.
4:42:05
We respectfully request the council support with a grant of $200,000 from fiscal year twenty twenty six.
4:42:12
This will allow to support 600 to 800 organizations across the city.
4:42:16
Lastly, NOPI is privileged to be a part of the city council's immigrant health initiative, and we thank you for that support.
4:42:22
This initiative has supported NOLPI's programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of immigrant New Yorkers.
4:42:28
We are respectfully asking the council to restore and enhance the funding for the immigrant health initiative, and we seek an allocation of $650,000 for the fiscal year of 2026.
4:42:38
Thank you again for your time, and we'll submit a more detailed testimony following the hearing.
4:42:43
Thank you.