CDPAP DEADLINE: A federal judge extended an order prolonging the state’s overhaul of the consumer-directed personal assistance program until June 20, giving lawyers an additional two weeks to negotiate with the state how to improve the transition for home care users and workers. Judge Frederic Block, who presides over a federal court in Brooklyn, issued a preliminary injunction in April that delayed the deadline for the state to transition its popular home care program to a new payment system run by the Georgia-based company Public Partnerships LLC until June 6. But consumers and workers have reported continued challenges with registering and getting paid, prompting lawyers with the New York Legal Assistance Group to ask the court to further push back the deadline until August 15. The lawyers plan to negotiate with the state through June to further delay the completion of the transition and provide more support to consumers and workers registering with PPL.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUITE: New York City Health + Hospitals reopened a behavioral health center at its Gotham Health facility in East New York on Wednesday. The renovated behavioral health suite, located at 2094 Pitkin Ave., includes modernized treatment rooms, enhanced patient workflows and an outdoor wellness courtyard, is expected to increase patient capacity and reduce wait times for mental health services, H+H said.
HOSPITALS BUDGET: The City Council will hold a budget hearing on Thursday on the New York City Health + Hospital’s executive budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. at City Hall. It will be livestreamed on the Council’s website.
