Archives: Event Recaps

On March 5th, NYHealth hosted a webinar on ongoing efforts, research, and policy developments regarding firearm suicide in the veteran community. Speakers shared perspectives on the current state of lethal means safety programs in New York communities, policies designed to support improvements in outcomes, and where opportunities and challenges remain to capitalize on this momentum.

In recent years, an unprecedented alliance has emerged to address firearm suicide in the veteran community—bringing together firearm owners, health care providers, researchers, and policymakers. Despite some challenges, this collaboration has led to the development of evidence-based lethal means safety counseling that aligns with gun owners’ values and promotes safer practices.

Speakers were:

• Russell B. Lemle Ph.D., the former Chief Psychologist of the San Francisco VA and co-founder of the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute
• Dr. Gabriela Khazanov, Research Associate, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Watch the webinar recording here.

On February 20th, NYHealth hosted a webinar on Medical Assistants (MAs) as one of the fastest-growing health care professions. They are key members of primary care teams who take medical histories, measure vital signs, prepare patients for exams, and more. Care teams that better utilize MAs often see improvements in patients’ health outcomes, better quality and efficiency of care, and reductions in provider strain and burnout.

New York is currently considering a policy to allow MAs to vaccinate patients under clinician supervision, like every other state in the country. Now presents an opportunity to hear from MAs directly about their day-to-day work supporting patient care, perspectives on unmet needs, and ideas about the expanded roles MAs can play on care teams.

Speakers were:

• Phylisha Worthington, Medical Assistant, Universal Primary Care in Western New York
• Estefany Rodriguez, Medical Assistant, Open Door Family Medical Center

Watch the webinar recording here.

On January 29th, NYHealth hosted a webinar on the administrative, legal, and legislative actions that have been floated by the new federal administration and their potential impact on New York, as well as efforts underway to help New Yorkers enroll in coverage and to engage the consumer advocacy community.

Public insurance through Medicaid, the Essential Plan, Child Health Plus, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans provide coverage to millions of New Yorkers. More than 9.5 million New Yorkers are enrolled in public health insurance, including nearly 8 million in Medicaid; 1.5 million in the Essential Plan; and 250,000 in ACA plans. Medicaid, in particular, is a core vehicle for coverage, jointly funded by states and the federal government. Enrollment in the program rose to historically high levels during the COVID-19 pandemic; now that pandemic-era policies have expired, New York State has undertaken a massive effort to preserve those gains.

New York has also focused on continuous Medicaid and Child Health Plus coverage for children ages 0–6; coverage for New Yorkers ages 65 and older, regardless of immigration status; more generous income eligibility for the Essential Plan; and additional financial assistance for ACA plans in the New York State of Health Marketplace. Even as the new federal administration’s policy priorities may threaten New York’s robust public insurance infrastructure and coverage rates, State agencies and community-based partners are continuing to support and expand health insurance coverage.

Speakers were:

• Elisabeth Benjamin, Vice President, Health Initiatives, Community Service Society of New York;
• Lara Kassel, Coalition Coordinator, Medicaid Matters New York;
• Robin Rudowitz, Vice President and Director, Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured, KFF; and
• Avital Havusha, Vice President of Programs, NYHealth (moderator)

Watch the webinar recording here.

On December 18th, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) hosted a discussion about school-based health centers (SBHCs) as a resource for addressing health disparities in underserved communities. Strategically located in public schools serving these communities, SBHCs provide immediate access to comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral, and preventive health services—regardless of students’ financial or insurance status.

The first step toward addressing disparities is understanding them. Over the past year, the New York School-Based Health Foundation has leveraged its data repository to analyze racial, ethnic, and insurance disparities among student populations at both statewide and local levels. This work has laid the foundation for SBHCs to develop actionable strategies to close these gaps.

The discussion featured insights on how SBHCs can address disparities and the policy changes shaping the future of school-based health services.

Speakers:

Lisa Perry, Director, New York School-Based Health Foundation

Adria Cruz, Deputy Director, Health Programs & Integration of Children’s Aid

Sarah Murphy, Executive Director, New York School-Based Health Alliance

Watch the webinar recording here.

On November 26, the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) hosted a discussion on the state of food and nutrition in New York’s prison system. Food quality and access play a crucial role in health outcomes for incarcerated people.

A new report by the Correctional Association of New York, supported by NYHealth, highlights challenges and presents opportunities to improve food systems in prisons.

Speakers discussed the ways food affects the health of incarcerated New Yorkers and examine potential policy changes to improve food access and quality in prisons, reduce health disparities, and address food insecurity.

Speakers were:

• Edward Gibbs, New York State Assemblymember
• Daniel F. Martuscello, Commissioner, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS)
• Rodlescia Sneed, Ph.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor, Wayne State University
• Julia McCarthy, Senior Program Officer, NYHealth (moderator)

Watch the webinar recording.