From: The People’s Budget Coalition
Hello Allies and Partners in Public Health
Recently the New York State budget disinvested itself to protect funding that has been aiding New York City to provide vital public health services from 36% to 20% (affecting only New York City and no other county across the state). Otherwise known as the Article 6 cuts, this essentially reduces the State matching dollars, beginning in July 2019, to a number of public health programs. $59 million is just an estimate of this year’s cut and that reduction of funds will be passed down to organizations in significantly reduced contracts or cut programs unless we act now.
The Article 6 cuts impact both City Council and Administrative funding for many programs including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis, Access Health NYC, children’s health, maternal and child health, Health +Hospitals Child Health Clinics, School -Based Health Centers, City Sexual Health Clinics, correctional services operated by H+H, and other vital health programs that our communities rely on.
Attached is a City DOHMH document that provides some general context and information on overall population health impact. Additionally, here’s a Crain’s article that may be helpful.
As part of initial advocacy efforts around these cuts, an organizational sign on letter has been drafted by Housing Works, FPWA, Citizen’s Committee for Children, Brooklyn Perinatal Network, and CPHS to be sent to the Mayor this Friday, April 26th.
The sign on letter is available here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSZOel6m29vTKISy4Ws5pu92JOarSWxzd-bbTk1v5arsAzpw/viewform
We encourage every organization who is interested to please sign on by the end of the day Thursday, April 25th. You can also sign up for updates on more advocacy efforts coming up. Please share widely as well!
Thanks so much – please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I’d be happy to assist..
Take care,
—
Anthony Feliciano
Commission on the Public’s Health System
Director
C/o WeWork