PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING: Current and former city and state officials continued a push for additional state funding for public health services under a program known as Article 6, which was cut under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2019. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, who has been pushing for the funding restoration in the state budget this year, along with city Comptroller Brad Lander, who is running against Cuomo in the race for mayor, City Council Health Chair Lynn Schulman and others held a virtual press conference on Thursday calling for the money. The funding, which supports a range of infectious and chronic disease prevention and treatment services, including HIV testing, reproductive health, vaccinations and tuberculosis treatment, could amount to more than $60 million to the city at a time when the Trump administration is cutting federal health funding. The restoration was not included in spending proposals from Gov. Kathy Hochul or legislative leaders, who are still negotiating the state budget weeks after the April 1 start of the fiscal year.
MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH: Three city laws went into effect Thursday aimed at improving maternal mental health outcomes in the five boroughs. The laws, initially passed as part of Speaker Adrienne Adams’ “mental health roadmap” agenda, require city agencies to develop and implement educational resources and campaigns to promote mental health for pregnant and postpartum people. One law calls on the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to design informational materials on the impact of pregnancy loss on mental health; another requires the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health to launch a public education campaign about city, state and federal mental health resources available to parents. The third law requires the Health Department to implement a three-year pilot program creating support groups for postpartum individuals.
HOSPITAL GIFT: Northwell Health’s Northern Westchester Hospital received $10 million from local philanthropists Lisa and Mark Schwartz, the largest single gift in the hospital’s history, Northwell said Thursday. The gift will help the hospital advance critical care and neurological services, including by supporting its efforts to achieve a Level III trauma center designation to treat acute illnesses and traumatic brain injuries, according to the health system. The funds will support specialized staffing and infrastructure upgrades at the medical center, the hospital said.
