Public Advocate's Corner

Accessing Services: Preventing the Spread of Swine Flu

Given the recent concern about the H1N1 Virus, commonly known as “swine flu”, it's a good time for New York residents to review how to prevent the spread of any contagious illness. The Center for Disease Control recommends that you: 

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Alcohol-based hand cleansers also are effective. 
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, but use a tissue or your arm rather than your hand. Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
• If you're sick, stay home.
•  For specific information about swine flu, download the following:
• Swine Influenza:  What New Yorkers Need to Know, issued by the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in a question and answer format.
• Ready New York: Pandemic Flu, issued by the city Office of Emergency Management. 
• A list of links to swine flu sites, provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• CDC updates.

For more information, check World Health Organization updates, the Health Department website or click here for a list of Swine Flu school closings.

Costco’s Step in the Right Direction

Today, I’m pleased to report a victory for New Yorkers receiving Food Stamp benefits: after entreaties from myself, Council Member Eric Gioia and Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., Costco has ‘agreed to accept Food Stamps at its two New York City stores.’ In a statement, James D. Sinegal, Costco’s CEO, declared his intention to “be a part of the solution to the financial burden that many people are facing today”, citing the “unprecedented economic challenges” that influenced into his decision.

As a trustee of the New York City Employee’s Retirement System, a significant Costco shareholder, I recently sent a letter urging Mr. Sinegal to amend their policy on Food Stamps. With today’s news, I’m hopeful that Costco has recognized both the severity of this economic crisis, and the potential to expand its customer base by reaching out to New Yorkers receiving Food Stamps.

In the coming months, Costco must continue in the right direction by committing to accept Food Stamps at the new store it plans to open in East Harlem—a neighborhood in which tens of thousands of residents receive Food Stamp benefits.

Voice Your Opinion: What do you think about Costco offering its products to New Yorkers receiving Food Stamps?

Obama Nominee for Supreme Court Justice

I am so pleased with President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Justice. Not only is Judge Sotomayor a great legal mind with excellent credentials and vast experience, but she will bring much-needed diversity and a valuable perspective to the Supreme Court. New Yorkers, and the Puerto Rican community in particular, are proud that one of their own will soon join the nation’s highest court. This is an historic choice that will benefit all Americans and I congratulate Judge Sotomayor on her nomination.

Statement from Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum on Suspension of Rent for Homeless Program

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum said:

“With public outrage growing and a mayoral campaign heating up, the city now has second thoughts about charging rent to the homeless. It’s disturbing that 500 homeless families were solicited for rent—-but even worse, over a third of those notices contained errors, and many families were overcharged. Instead of putting a ‘positive spin’ on the administration’s failed homeless policies, the city should immediately refund these families and end this senseless practice.”

 

PA Gotbaum: Save the Oral Health Program

Yesterday, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum rallied with members of the Doctors Council SEIU to protest the closing of the Oral Health Program (OHP). For over a hundred years, some of New York's neediest children have received care in school and community-based clinics through OHP. But funding for OHP has been cut during the past several years, and OHP clinics were officially targeted for elimination in Mayor Bloomberg's preliminary budget for fiscal year 2010. Unfortunately, a report released by the Office of the Public Advocate found that there are few alternatives available for the families that benefit from OHP. At the rally, Gotbaum said: 

"It makes little sense to close a low-cost program that provides much-needed dental services for the most vulnerable children. This program is part of our safety net, and DOHMH must maintain it. With new leadership at DOHMH in Dr. Thomas Farley, it's time for OHP to be given a second look. I call on Dr. Farley to work with the City Council to reverse de-funding of the Oral Health Program."

Gotbaum Pushes For Bill to Fight Asthma Triggers in NYC Homes

Today, Public Advocate Gotbaum joined Councilmember Rosie Mendez and the Coalition for Asthma-Free Homes to hail a new report documenting how asthma triggers in New Yorkers' homes - combined with a lack of enforceable guidelines to curb them - are contributing greatly to the city's high asthma rates. Gotbaum said:

"This is a clear-cut public health issue. No one with asthma - a group that includes a large number of New York City children - should have to live in an apartment with health hazards like pests and mold. Today's report makes it clear that the current city law has failed to protect New Yorkers from those indoor allergens."

Read the Press Release

DOE No-Bid Contracts

Today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum commented on an audit she requested from the State Comptroller that finds the DOE Awarded $342 Million in No-Bid Contracts. Link to the video here.

PA Gotbaum Promotes Chinese Guide to Public Benefits

Today in Chinatown, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum promoted a comprehensive Guide to Public Benefits for Immigrants in New York City in Chinese. The free guide provides valuable information on federal, state and city benefits, and is the first of its kind to specifically example immigration status as part of benefit eligibility. The Public Advocate first released the guide in November 2008 in six languages, including English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Bengali.  

Low-income working immigrants may need government help, for themselves or their families, but may not know how to access the benefits they need. According to the NYC Dept of City Planning Report, The Newest New Yorkers, there are more than 261,000 Chinese-born immigrants living in New York City, and 22 percent of them live in poverty.

Public Advocate Gotbaum said:

“Immigrants bring our neighborhoods to life and make our culture the most diverse in the country. We’re here today to promote a very important resource for the Chinese community and let immigrants know that this guide offers crucial information about federal, state, and city benefits. We have already gotten about 50,000 requests for guides—7,500 of those for Chinese guides."

Read the full release.

PA Gotbaum at the 24th Annual AIDS Walk

On Sunday, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum joined elected officials, community leaders, and advocates at the opening ceremonies of the 24th Annual AIDS Walk New York. (Pictured above, from left-- [L] Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., Public Advocate Gotbaum, and Assemblyman Denny Farrell; [R] Public Advocate Gotbaum and Representative Carolyn B. Maloney.)

As Commissioner of Parks & Recreation under Mayor Dinkins, Gotbaum successfully argued for a change in city policy allowing the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and other organizations to use Central Park for fundraising events. Her action allowed more people than ever before to participate in the GMHC's AIDS Walk, resulting in a significant increase in proceeds for people with HIV/AIDS.

Accessing Services: How to Get a Mammogram

This month is a great time for women to make an appointment for an annual mammogram.  It's also a great time to strongly encourage your mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters or any other women in your life to do the same.

More than 40,000 women die of breast cancer in the United States each year, and more than 90% of all breast cancer is detect by a mammogram.

And early detection, of course, leads to early treatment.

In 2006, the Public Advocate’s office released a report showing that the average wait time for mammograms in the city was 10 days longer than the mayor’s target wait time.

What is a Mammogram? Simply stated, a mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast. A diagnostic mammogram may detect breast disease in women who have breast lumps, pain, discharge or abnormalities. A screening mammogram detects changes, if any, in the breasts of women who have no breast complaints. For a video on mammogram for breast cancer detection, check out the Mayo Clinic website.

How can I access a low-cost mammogram? The city Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) offers mammograms to New Yorkers all over the city at little or no cost. Also, qualified uninsured persons may receive mammograms year-round through the state Department of Health (DOH) Breast Cancer Program. Find out more information about mammography in New York City here.

Women should talk to their healthcare providers about getting a mammogram along with their annual breast-exam and pap smear. To find a federally qualified health center that offers low or no cost annual checkups visit: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

More Resources: The Breast Examination Center of Harlem, an outreach program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, offers free mammograms. You can also find free mammography programs from other providers offered in conjunction with Mother's Day. At other times, mobile mammography clinics visit under served neighborhoods.

If you still need help in arranging for a free or low-cost mammogram, please call my office at 212-669-7250.

This month is a great time for women to make an appointment for an annual mammogram.  It's also a great time to strongly encourage your mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters or any other women in your life to do the same.

More than 40,000 women die of breast cancer in the United States each year, and more than 90% of all breast cancer is detect by a mammogram.

And early detection, of course, leads to early treatment.

In 2006, the Public Advocate’s office released a report showing that the average wait time for mammograms in the city was 10 days longer than the mayor’s target wait time.

What is a Mammogram? Simply stated, a mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast. A diagnostic mammogram may detect breast disease in women who have breast lumps, pain, discharge or abnormalities. A screening mammogram detects changes, if any, in the breasts of women who have no breast complaints. For a video on mammogram for breast cancer detection, check out the Mayo Clinic website.

How can I access a low-cost mammogram? The city Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) offers mammograms to New Yorkers all over the city at little or no cost. Also, qualified uninsured persons may receive mammograms year-round through the state Department of Health (DOH) Breast Cancer Program. Find out more information about mammography in New York City here.

Women should talk to their healthcare providers about getting a mammogram along with their annual breast-exam and pap smear. To find a federally qualified health center that offers low or no cost annual checkups visit: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/

More Resources: The Breast Examination Center of Harlem, an outreach program of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, offers free mammograms. You can also find free mammography programs from other providers offered in conjunction with Mother's Day. At other times, mobile mammography clinics visit under served neighborhoods.

If you still need help in arranging for a free or low-cost mammogram, please call my office at 212-669-7250.