Social workers, under the auspices of the Chapter, are assuming a leadership role in examining managed health, mental health and dental care. Launching of the Critical Incident Report Project (CIRP) is crucial in the Chapter's all-out effort to document difficulties consumers, providers, and advocates are confronting in delivery of managed health care services. This Project is in keeping with the profession's stance that accessible, affordable, and quality health care is a right which should be guaranteed to all U.S. residents.

Carmen Ortiz Hendricks, DSW, Chapter President, stated that the "purpose of this Project is to gather information on how New Yorkers are experiencing the managed care system." Are consumers and providers adequately protected? Is medical care being compromised in anyway?  Are managed health care regulations effective? Do consumers have access to the full range of social work services? Are those with emotional and psychological problems receiving adequate care? "One hears anecdotal accounts of consumer and provider problems," Dr. Hendricks continued, "the Chapter recognized the need for systematic data collection to move the information from story to fact."

CIRP is collecting data to document the effect of managed care on consumers, their families, social work providers, and other providers in New York State whether their insurance is a commercial plan, Medicaid or Medicare. Project reports will then be used by elected officials, policy makers, health care providers, unions, and managed care organizations to reform the managed care system. Approximately 1/3 of insured New Yorkers are currently covered by managed care health care policies.

Responses from officials at the local, state, and federal level who know of the Project and have reviewed the CIRP form have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Assemblymember Pete Grannis remarked, "As managed care's market penetration increases, so should our vigilance of its practices towards consumers and providers of service. Since New York State has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the country, the date collected by NASW through the systematic monitoring of the managed care health and mental health delivery systems will help me as Chair of the Assembly's Insurance Committee, as well as all other legislators, obtain a clearer picture of what is actually occurring in the marketplace."

The Chapter has lined up firm commitments from major social service agencies, advocacy organizations, unions, health care facilities, and consumer groups to distribute the CIRP form to their members and clients and actively urge their constituents to use the form. The New York State Chapter of NASW will also use the CIRP form throughout the state.

At its beginnings in the Independent Practice and Managed Care Task Force, under the direction of Dava Weinstein, the CIRP focused on issues of mental health. The Chapter's Managed Care Advisory Committee, chaired by Barbara Brenner, supported the Project as it grew to encompass all aspects of managed health, mental health, and dental care. Advisory Committee members Penny Schwartz (a Chapter Vice President who represents the Chapter at the NYC Medicaid Managed Care Task Force) and Alicia Sainer (member of the Independent Practice and Managed Care Task Force) both made significant contributions to the CIRP report form as it was developed. The Health Care Policy and Practice Network, chaired by Jerry Beallor and Terry Mizrahi, has embraced the Project and is developing a comprehensive outreach for distribution.

The CIRP is a vibrant social work project which is also involving MSW students including Liz Campos, Rebecca Kurti and Carmela Tapino, all from Hunter.

The Project has been funded by contributions from individual Chapter members who are private practitioners, and a grant from National NASW's Private Practice section. To get involved in the Project, call Terry Mizrahi, 212-452-7112.

How to Participate in the Critical Incident Report Project
 

1. Familiarize yourself with the CIRP Form. In English and Spanish, it can be filled out by us as providers, advocates, and   consumers. The form takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete. It folds into a self mailer for return to the Chapter. The Form can be completed anonymously or with identifying information.
   
   
2. Remember, we are consumers of health care as well and can record our own personal experience  accessing care for ourselves and our families.

 
3. Distribute and utilize the CIRP form at your work site, conferences, and professional meetings; at your church, mosque, or synagogue; and at social, sporting or civic events in which you participate.

 
4. Let the Project members know about local newspapers and other community media through which we can publicize the Project.

 
5. Translate the CIRP form into additional languages of New York consumers.

 
6. Call the Project with your ideas for distribution and utilization: (212) 668-0050.