District Council 37, the city's largest public employee union, today kicked off a campaign to reverse Governor Pataki's proposed Medicaid cuts. The governor's cuts would eliminate $60 million—including $27 million in resources for necessary long-term care at HHC nursing homes. Union members and Jobs With Justice activists leafleted to the public at eleven HHC hospitals and nursing homes as part of "Health Care Action Day." Among them was Coler-Goldwater Memorial Hospital on Roosevelt Island, the state's largest long-term care facility, which could lose $26 million.

"Our union will not stand by while Governor Pataki proposes Medicaid cuts affecting HHC's most vulnerable—nursing home patients, disabled children, the elderly and SSI recipients—and their caregivers," said Lillian Roberts, Executive Director of DC 37. "Public hospitals and long-term care facilities are essential for these patients and their communities. DC 37 members are justifiably proud of their work with these patients. For example, Coler-Goldwater Memorial Hospital received excellent ratings on its most recent accreditation inspection. We plan to fight Governor Pataki's plan to cut essential funds from Coler-Goldwater and HHC's other three nursing homes.

"We also oppose the governor's plans to eliminate services and impose fees and co-pays on low-income families covered by Family Health Plus and his attempt to deny this coverage to low-wage workers whose employers don't provide insurance," Ms. Roberts stated. "Our members have worked long and hard to enroll these uninsured families so they could have necessary health care coverage. We urge the public to join us in fighting the governor's attempt to whittle away these vital benefits.

"HHC resources are already stretched to the limit," Ms. Roberts said, "The Governor's proposed cuts will undermine the progress made at hospitals and nursing homes that have been rated as among the best in the nation. That's why we say 'No' to Pataki's ill-conceived proposals, which will do great harm to the uninsured, senior citizens, sick children, and the physically and mentally disabled."

DC 37 is asking the public to sign petitions against the cutbacks; send a postcard to Governor Pataki saying, 'Stop the 2004 Medicaid Cuts'; and visit and call elected officials to tell them to stand up for our public hospital and nursing home system and fight these cuts.

Background: Over the last three years, HHC facilities have consistently exceeded the average accreditation scores of all hospitals in New York City. Some 1.3 million New Yorkers were treated at HHC hospitals, nursing homes and clinics last year. HHC's four nursing homes provide rehabilitation and long-term care to 2,700 patients daily at an occupancy rate of over 98 percent. The Governor's Medicaid proposal cuts would eliminate $27 million in vital resources for long-term care—including a $26 million cut to highly accredited Coler-Goldwater Memorial Hospital, the state's largest long-term care facility on Roosevelt Island - and decrease Family Health Plus benefits to low-income working families.