Despite the significant impact that hospital consolidation can have on health care access, prices, and patient choice, consumers and communities have little say in New York State’s oversight of proposed hospital transactions—including mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, and closures. Advocates have made great strides in pushing for greater transparency and consumer engagement in State review of proposed hospital mergers and closures, including securing two consumer representatives on the State oversight body and requiring independent health equity assessments. However, more needs to be done to empower consumers with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to influence decisions that will affect health care access and delivery in their communities.
Please join us for an online discussion with Lois Uttley, Senior Advisor, Health Equity and Accountability Project (HEAP), Community Catalyst; Faith Daniel, HEAP Project Manager, Community Catalyst; Brandon Wilson, Director, Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation, Community Catalyst; Arthur Butler, Executive Director, Schenectady County Human Rights Commission; and Michelle Ostrelich, Schenectady County Legislator.
Panelists will share best practices, models, and tools for effective consumer engagement and advocacy across New York State, offering lessons learned for other communities and additional ways to center patient voices in these key health care system decisions.
This 1-hour webinar will feature a short discussion followed by audience Q&A.