A public hearing to obtain input from New Yorkers on ways to expand health insurance coverage and improve the health care system will be held today, November 26 in Rochester at MCC. The hearing will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Warshof Conference Center, Flynn Campus Center (Monroe B).
The hearing is organized by the New York State Department of Health and New York State Insurance Department. MCC is providing the location. Individuals planning to testify at the hearing must pre-register by contacting Ms. Cindy Esterby, NYS Department of Health, 518.474.5737 or Ms. Deborah Greer, NYS Insurance Department, 518.474.4567. Pre-registration is only required of speakers; observers are welcome.
Governor Eliot Spitzer directed that the hearings be conducted by New York State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., and Insurance Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo in connection with the Governor’s "Partnership for Coverage" initiative. The Governor is seeking public input to develop proposals for achieving health system reform and affordable universal coverage in New York state.
"I urge interested citizens and organizations in Western New York to come to this hearing and contribute their ideas," said Governor Spitzer. "Our ‘Partnership for Coverage’ is a public-private collaborative initiative that will use a building-block approach to increase access to affordable, high-quality health care for all New Yorkers. These efforts include covering more uninsured children in New York’s Child Health Plus program by expanding income eligibility to 400 percent of the federal poverty level– an initiative for which we are currently seeking federal government approval."
"We know that 2.6 million New Yorkers don’t have health insurance, making it very difficult for them to get the health care they need," said Commissioner Daines. "At these hearings we want to hear from the general public, from stakeholders in the health care system, and from patient advocates and other experts on the best ways to address this problem."
Superintendent Dinallo said, "Many uninsured New Yorkers work but don’t receive health insurance through their employers and can’t afford to purchase private health insurance. We must make certain that health insurance and access to high-quality care are available at a reasonable cost to all New Yorkers."
Cynthia Cooper
College and Community Relations
11/26/2007 |