Health Workers Mobilize to Oppose Governor's Cuts

By JAMES FANELLI

Union workers say Governor Pataki's proposed budget cuts to Medicaid might save New York money, but they will endanger lives. 

Leaders of District Council 37, the union representing public hospital workers in New York City, are worried that cuts to the state fund that gives public hospitals money to provide medical coverage to the poor, uninsured and those who cannot afford care, will result in fewer services and staff layoffs. 

To notify the public about the proposed cuts, DC 37 members distributed leaflets at five New York City hospitals, including North Central Bronx (NCB) in Norwood, and asked patients to sign petitions that were to be hand delivered to the governor on April 1 when 30,000 health care workers traveled to Albany to protest the cuts. 

Montefiore Medical Center also participated in the giant demonstration in the state capital, with Spencer Foreman, MD, the hospital's president, and other hospital administrators joining forces with members of 1199-SEIU in an 18-bus caravan loaded up with about 1,000 Montefiore employees. Montefiore estimates it could face a state funding reduction of $36 million if the proposed cuts become law. 

Similarly, North Central Bronx will face a large reduction in funding. DC 37 estimates NCB will lose over $13 million in state funding, close to 10 percent of its yearly budget. 

"It will basically cripple the system," said Patricia Brooks, the director of the hospital division for DC 37, referring to Pataki's proposal to slash $200 million from Medicaid. Brooks informed patients about the issue near the entrance to NCB, and gathered petition signatures.

Brooks said cuts to Medicaid would affect the 14 New York City public hospitals and other care-giving services that rely heavily on state funding. 

Medicaid funds hospitals and other community clinics so the uninsured working poor, the elderly, immigrants and those living below the poverty level can still receive medical care. Those without coverage can still obtain medical treatment in emergency rooms, but that type of care is the most expensive and least preventive. Public hospitals also provide prenatal care services to uninsured mothers. And the elderly rely on Medicaid to pay for their stay at nursing homes.

If the governor's proposal is approved, Brooks expects many Medicaid patients to lose access to these services. She also fears 4,000 hospital workers will lose their jobs. 

"People come as far as Mt. Eden," said nurse's aide David Leon. "Many people in the Bronx need our services."

Bronx patients reacted similarly, fearing they might lose access to vital treatment.

"It's not right," said Francisco Molina, a Norwood resident, who was waiting his turn in the emergency room. "We working poor need these services." Molina was one of many who signed the petition.

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