Chapter voices concern about move to sell municipal hospitals

By Gerald Beallor, Co-Chair, Health Care Policy and Practice Network
(May 1995)

Chapter President Barbara Brenner has written to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani expressing considerable concern abut the fate of the municipal hospitals which for more than a century have been the source of care for the poor, the uninsured, and the immigrants of New York City. More study and careful analysis are needed before making the draconian changes requested by the Mayor. While there are issues of quality of care in some of the City Hospitals, these should be seen in the light of City budget policies, the affiliation contracts and the role of the centralized Health and Hospitals Corporation. A brief policy paper prepared by the Health Care Policy and Practice Network was included with Dr. Brenner's letter.

Copies of the letter and the paper have been sent to members of the City Council and other officials. In recent days a number of members of the Health and Hospitals Corporation Board have spoken out in opposition, citing their review of the report made to the Mayor by a major banking institution recommending he proceed with the sale. They are clear, as is the leadership of the Chapter, that any process to decide the fate of the municipal system must take into consideration the needs of New York City's population and must include members of all communities.

The exclusion of the representatives of affected communities, of other elected officials and of relevant interests including the hospitals themselves is an unacceptable abuse of power by a Mayor elected by the slimmest of margins, but sworn to represent all the people of our city.

Members are urged to make their concerns known to the Mayor and their City Council representatives.