New York City Officials Host Roundtable Discussion on Immigrant Healthcare, Know Your Rights Efforts

New York City Officials Host Roundtable Discussion on Immigrant Health Rights and Know Your Rights Efforts

Editor’s note: NYC Health +Hospitals is presently hosting an art exhibit featuring the works of immigrant New Yorkers at their Gotham location.  Rep. AOC recently hosted a town hall at which she discussed planned and previous immigrant rights discussions.  She is very concerned about the immigrant communities and how they can protect themselves. 80% of NYC’s immigrants have been in the city for over ten years, often as contributing members of our society. According to USA Facts, they’re usually the health care, education, and professional workers. 

Representatives from NYC Health + Hospitals, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs joined the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services

NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care is a health care access program available to all New Yorkers regardless of one’s immigration status or ability to pay

New York City Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Manuel Castro, and NYC Health + Hospitals’ (H+H) NYC Care Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Jiménez hosted a community and ethnic media roundtable to remind immigrant New Yorkers of their rights and the resources available to them, regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. Last month, agency leaders signed an open letter to immigrant New Yorkers, emphasizing their right to access health care in the five boroughs. Immigrant New Yorkers are encouraged to continue visiting the doctor, the community health center, or the hospital for their health needs. The letter outlines everyone’s right to privacy and additional services, such as health insurance and legal services, that immigrant New Yorkers qualify for.

“Today’s roundtable continues our commitment to ensuring that New Yorkers seek out critical health care, educational, and emergency services, regardless of immigration status. Whether you’re working to enroll your kids in school or need a primary care appointment, the city is here to support every individual, child, and family in the five boroughs,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Suzanne Miles-Gustave. “Thank you to our partners around the table today and we look forward to continuing to work with ethnic and community media outlets to deliver trusted information to communities.”

“Immigrant New Yorkers are the heart of this city,” said NYC DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The NYC Health Department is committed to protecting our immigrant neighbors and ensuring that they are able to receive care to live safe and healthy lives.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues and city leaders to share more on the City’s “Know Your Rights” efforts for our immigrant communities” said MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro. “Immigrant New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, should feel safe when accessing our city resources and services.”

“In New York City, health care is a human right. New Yorkers ineligible for health insurance can sign up for NYC Care, the City’s low- or no-cost health care access program. Your privacy is important to us, and you are not required to share information about your immigration status to receive care when you visit our hospitals and clinics,” said Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care from NYC Health + Hospitals. “I would like to thank Deputy Mayor Suzanne Miles-Gustave, Commissioner Castro, and Commissioner Morse for helping to organize this roundtable discussion. New Yorkers interested in learning more about NYC Care can visit NYCCare.NYC or call 646-692-2273.”

“In today’s climate of fear and misinformation, too many immigrant New Yorkers are avoiding the doctor or hospital—even when care is safe, free, and confidential,” said Adrienne Lever, Executive Director, Public Engagement Unit. “That’s why the Public Engagement Unit is on the ground in communities, working to deliver trusted information and help connect all New Yorkers – regardless of their immigration status – to the health care they deserve.”

MOIA also launched a Know Your Rights effort that educates immigrant New Yorkers on their rights with federal immigration enforcement. Immigrant New Yorkers can access Immigrant Rights Workshops and printed materials at local community-based organizations and libraries. For more information, New Yorkers can visit: www.nyc.gov/knowyourrights.

The roundtable also highlighted the newly released Immigrant Health Report that highlights the significant contributions of immigrant New Yorkers to the city’s health and prosperity, while emphasizing the critical needs to address unique health challenges that immigrants face. The report shows that 81 percent of New York City immigrants have been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, 13 percent have been in the U.S between 6 to 10 years, and 6 percent have been in the U.S. less than 5 years.

Banner Image: Round table. Image Credit – NYC H+H