On Long Island: Frontline Fest Brings Healthcare Advocacy, Services, Education To Local Residents

UNIONDALE, LONG ISLAND – Today, the inaugural Frontline Fest — a healthcare festival presented by the Healthcare Education Project (HEP) — brought thousands of attendees to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a pioneering event that changed the way New Yorkers engage with healthcare.

By combining education and advocacy with music and entertainment, Frontline Fest made healthcare policy accessible for attendees of all ages — helping them learn while having fun, and inspiring them to take action on the issues that impact their families and communities.

“Frontline Fest is a bold, fresh, new way to get involved in healthcare, which is the critical issue facing New Yorkers today,” said David Collymore, Executive Director of the Healthcare Education Project. “Through powerful talks and presentations, compelling musical performances, and exciting interactive experiences, we made healthcare policy feel immediate and accessible, and gave our attendees the knowledge and tools they need to protect the health of their communities.”

The cultural festival represents a new frontier for HEP — the groundbreaking partnership between the frontline caregivers of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East healthcare union and the not-for-profit hospitals and healthcare institutions of the Greater New York Hospital Association — as it expands ongoing efforts to educate and mobilize New Yorkers around healthcare access and equity.

“Frontline Fest has celebrated the resilience of the healthcare workers who are always there for their communities, through thick and thin,” said Yvonne Armstrong, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “It has brought joy to our work on the frontlines, and energized all of us — workers, families, and neighbors alike — to defend our care and protect the health of our communities ahead of these critically important midterm elections.”

“Just like music, sports, games, and dance are integral to the health, wellness and vitality of New York’s communities, so too are hospitals and healthcare institutions,” said Ken Raske, President of Greater New York Hospital Association. “We’re so proud to participate in a festival like Frontline Fest that celebrates hospitals as community anchors, and recognizes the contributions of their workers.”

Although healthcare is a major affordability concern for New Yorkers, the communities most impacted by policies and legislation are often underrepresented in shaping them. Frontline Fest demonstrated the power of bringing healthcare information out of traditional settings and into the music, sports, and entertainment spaces where people already gather — a novel approach to community education and mobilization.

Through its new Keep Your Care initiative, HEP provided festival attendees with resources to understand Medicaid changes and stay connected to coverage and care. Frontline Fest also promoted nonpartisan participation in the upcoming November midterm elections through on-site voter registration, registration-status checks, and opportunities for attendees to make a plan to vote for healthcare.

“Medicaid is a lifeline, not a luxury, and we cannot stand by while access to this program is threatened for millions of New Yorkers, including children, seniors and the special needs community,” said Congresswoman Laura Gillen, who represents New York’s 4th Congressional District. “I’m grateful to the Healthcare Education Project and 1199SEIU for using events like Frontline Fest to raise awareness and motivate public action. We can and must fight back against these devastating healthcare cuts.”

“The cuts to healthcare programs like Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are devastating. We must do everything we can to restore healthcare premium tax credits to make these funds whole again,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi, who represents New York’s 3rd Congressional District. “Events like this are an important way for everyone — from 1199SEIU down through the hard working people of Long Island — to get involved in this fight.” In addition to Reps. Gillen and Suozzi, former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams also spoke at Frontline Fest.

The festival comes as New Yorkers face significant challenges to healthcare access, including new requirements for Medicaid coverage, funding cuts for Essential Plan and Affordable Care Act health plans, and tremendous financial pressures on hospitals and the healthcare industry. Over 50 community groups and healthcare institutions at Frontline Fest, including the Hispanic Federation, Mental Health Association of Nassau County, New York Communities for Change, and NYU Langone Health, helped provide resources and assistance for impacted individuals.

“With major changes to Medicaid on the horizon, it is more important than ever that New Yorkers — especially those who are most vulnerable — have clear, reliable information about what is changing and where they can turn for help,” said Dr. Judith Flores of the National Hispanic Medical Association and Keep Your Care. “Frontline Fest creates an important opportunity to meet people where they are, connect them with resources, and make sure no one is left behind as these changes take effect.”

“Access to healthcare can make all the difference for families and communities, but knowing where to turn for care and resources is not always easy,” said Vanessa Baird-Streeter, President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island. “Events like Frontline Fest help bring trusted information directly to people, connect them with organizations that can help, and remind New Yorkers that they have a voice in shaping the future of healthcare in their communities.”

Frontline Fest invited attendees to participate in numerous experiences throughout the day, creating an engaging, family-friendly experience. The free, all-day, indoor-outdoor festival began with stretches and meditation in a wellness and yoga center led by Kimberly Copeland. On the Coliseum’s outdoor plaza, the pace picked up with football skills challenges, culturally competent Lotería bingo games, and a competitive 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament co-presented by the Long Island Nets and featuring Dale the Eagle mascot and MC’d by Bob Lee of WBLS and Shani Kulture of Hot 97.

Attendees were treated to DJ sets by Hot 97 and WBLS on-air talent, including DJ Spazo, DJ Kast One, and DJ Chuck Chillout, and danced to sets by soca artists Alison Hinds and Rupee. After enjoying free meals in the Food Truck Village from over 15 New York City and Long Island food vendors, the festival moved back inside for a closing concert from a trio of New York hip-hop legends, plus newcomer Fergie Baby, curated by the festival’s media partner MediaCo.

“MediaCo is proud to partner with the Healthcare Education Project on the inaugural Frontline Fest, and to find a new way to reach audiences and give back to Long Island communities,” said Brian Fisher, President of MediaCo, parent company of Hot 97 and WBLS. “It is an honor to join so many organizations and advocates who are working to make sure New Yorkers have access to the healthcare, resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”

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