Over one million primary care appointments have been provided for NYC Care members
New York: NYC Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care on July 31, 2024 launched a city-wide day of action to commemorate its five-year anniversary and encourage New Yorkers to enroll in the health care access program. The inter-agency initiative mobilized partners from the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, New York State of Health, and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as community-based organization (CBO) partners and dozens of volunteers for in-person and digital outreach. The sites selected for canvassing and tabling were identified as having the highest rates of uninsured New Yorkers and the lowest rates of NYC Care enrollment. NYC Care Executive Director Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, supported the outreach teams across the city to answer questions and assure New Yorkers that NYC Health + Hospitals does not record information about the immigration status of its members. The day of action kicks off the five-year anniversary of the program in August. NYC Care is the only program of its kind in the nation, setting the standard for how municipalities can address health inequities among their low-income and undocumented population.
“NYC Care’s 5-year anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our staff, partners, and volunteers who put our mission and values as a Health System into action. I couldn’t be happier with the program’s continued growth, and I look forward to supporting it and introducing it to even more New Yorkers in the years to come,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD.
“Health care is a human right. On the anniversary of 5 years of the NYC Care program, I want to encourage all those who are eligible to apply and to share the opportunity with your community. It is a first in the nation model, offering health care to people regardless of immigration or socioeconomic status. Thank you to the NYC Health + Hospitals team making this program work and to all our interagency partners coming together for the Day of Action,” said Anne Williams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.
“Since NYC Care first launched in the Bronx in 2019, we have grown rapidly to meet the needs of New Yorkers, starting with providing exceptional primary care,” said Jonathan Jiménez, MD, MPH, Executive Director of NYC Care from NYC Health + Hospitals.
"NYC Care has been a lifeline & significant program for NYC’s immigrant communities and families while promoting social integration and reflecting NYC’s commitment to human rights and dignity. This program serves as a successful model for cities across the country,” said Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
