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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kelvin Diamond on Healthcare Access and Quality
2:33:11
·
3 min
Kelvin Diamond testifies about the dire state of the American healthcare industry, sharing personal experiences of being denied emergency room treatment and highlighting concerns about healthcare access for vulnerable populations. The testimony emphasizes the need for legislation to ensure medical care for all American citizens, regardless of their background or circumstances.
- Criticizes the denial of emergency room treatment and involuntary mental health evaluations for physical ailments
- Expresses concern for homeless and mentally ill individuals who are denied proper medical care
- Calls for adherence to the Hippocratic Oath and non-discriminatory healthcare provision
UNKNOWN
2:33:11
Thank you for allowing me to testify today.
2:33:17
I understand that this budget meeting is for cuts that are happening citywide to residents.
Mercedes Narcisse
2:33:26
Unfortunately, it's not us.
2:33:28
It's coming from the federal.
2:33:29
We're trying.
2:33:29
Right.
UNKNOWN
2:33:30
I'm currently a Blue Cross Blue Shield member and I have Medicaid and Medicare.
2:33:39
Though I don't have the current numbers and data present with me, I speak for myself and many others when I say that the American healthcare industry, I believe, is in dire jeopardy as everyone here has stated.
2:33:53
I've been denied emergency room treatment at Flushing Presbyterian Hospital after being misdiagnosed for various medical conditions for over a decade.
2:34:02
Instead, I was illegally forced to involuntarily pardon me, involuntary mental health evaluation even though I was there for a physical ailment.
2:34:16
I believe this is being utilized to treat various illnesses, mental health, physical health.
2:34:23
I understand that.
2:34:24
But I was actually denied medical treatment and I was sent on my way without being treated at all.
2:34:33
And, despite the fact that US law states that every citizen has a right to healthcare, it seems to me, if you don't mind me saying that there seems to be a permanent underclass that has fallen victim to what I like to call in literary terms sickness onto death as a Christian or existentialist.
2:34:53
Kierkegaard once wrote.
2:34:56
Too many times I've seen mentally ill homeless persons in various states of distress and they deny medical care after they've fallen ill or simply have gone somewhat insane after indeterminate periods of time without health care on the street.
2:35:16
So in ending, it seems that what's apparent is that there needs to be re legislation of the law in order for there to be able to ensure medical care for all American citizens and what is though it's true that the cuts in Medicaid and Medicare via the Trump administration is being used as a culprit, I'd like to know what's happened to the Hippocratic Oath by law.
2:35:47
You go to the hospital, you have health insurance, you're covered by Medicaid, you're covered by Medicare, but often too many times, you don't receive medical treatment or adequate medical treatment.
2:36:01
And if if I can be so honest to say, I think that it shouldn't matter about your gender.
2:36:09
It shouldn't matter that you're you're a human being and you need medical help.
2:36:13
Whether you're young, whether you're a baby, whether you're an adolescent, whether you're a teenager, whether you're an adult, a senior citizen, and it shouldn't matter what race or nationality you are.
2:36:25
We have the greatest healthcare system in this country, and there shouldn't be any reason I think even despite what's happened in the world with COVID nineteen affecting people on various levels that they shouldn't get adequate health care if it's actually there.
2:36:43
And that's all I'd like to say.
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Testimony by Alexander Harris, Interim Manager of Public Policy and Advocacy at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, on Gender-Affirming Care and LGBTQ+ Health Services
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Testimony by Bennett Mosse and Kelvin Diamond, Delegates from the Organization of Staff Analyst Union