Social work jobs, standards, patients' rights
threatened by State's proposals to revise regs

By Gerald Beallor and Terry Mizrahi, Co-Chairs, NASW Health Care Policy and Practice Network
(May 1995)

The New York City Chapter has mounted an all out battle to save the professional standards for social work in hospitals that were won in struggles of less than a decade ago. All social workers are called upon to assist in this important struggle to retain social work jobs and social work values in the care of patients and their families in hospitals and nursing homes.

Governor Pataki has promulgated a proposal to downgrade the status of social work in hospitals by lifting the regulations that require hospitals to have departments of social work as well as regulations which protect patients' rights and the quality of discharge planning. In an effort to reduce standards to the level of Federal regulations, the Governor has called on the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the legislature to enact his proposals. The Chapter is joining with the New York State Chapter of NASW, the Society of Social Work Administrators in Health Care, the Deans' Association of the Schools of Social Work, the Discharge Planning Association, and others to prevent the downgrading of hospital standards.

Other organizations including the major unions such as Local 1199 and District Council 37, and consumer advocacy groups are also working to retain high standards for patients' rights and care.

The Chapter has prepared a statement to be used as a basis for face to face discussion with legislators and other officials and for a letter writing campaign.

In all, there are 16 regulatory changes proposed, many of which would alter other important standards such as the qualifications for discharge planners, and the scope of practice of physical therapy assistants and certified nursing assistants. Protections won a number of years ago to ensure the rights of patients to know and to participate in their discharge plans are also threatened. The text of the Governor's proposal and a summary list as well as other documents and instructions are available from the Chapter office. Similar proposals are expected in regard to nursing home regulations. Social workers in hospitals, nursing homes and community agencies are urged to contact their Assemblypeople and State Senators in both their work and home districts, and to ask these legislators to express their concerns to the DOH. The Governor and DOH officials should also be contacted. Written communications should be personalized, as "canned" material is not taken seriously. Face to face meetings are most effective.

Members of the Chapter's Health Care Policy and Practice Network, which is leading the Chapter's efforts in this matter, stress the objectives of ensuring a full review and discussion of these proposals at all levels of government. Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee, is considering holding hearings. The Chapter leadership and related organizations will be meeting with Senate and Assembly leadership as well as DOH officials. Much of the discussion and decision making will take place in the Hospital Review and Planning Council. Plans are underway to meet with members of that body. The leadership of the organi-zations involved in the campaign to prevent the Governor's proposals from taking effect are mindful of the rapid changes in health care delivery and the need to consider changes to ensure continued protection for patients and the capacity for maintaining professional services on behalf of patients. Such a review would seek to improve protections in the new environment, not to remove them. Social workers need to use all their communication skills to clarify patient needs and the value of the professional social work role.

For more information, call (212) 668-0050 and request a packet of information on the Chapter's campaign to fight the Governor's proposals.