Health Care

Politics

After Damian Williams’ striking comments on supervised injection sites, New York leaders are quiet

The U.S. attorney said his office is prepared to take action as the sites are in violation of state and federal law, but he declined to elaborate further.

Policy

Policy

Is New York ready to legalize supervised injection sites?

Two sites in New York have saved hundreds of lives, but stigma and lack of buy-in from the governor might prevent expansion.

Politics

Politics

NY swing district Republicans are less neutral on abortion than they promised

On the campaign trail, they said abortion should be a states’ issue. In office, some New York GOP reps have changed their tune.

Health Care

Policy

‘We simply want our health care.’ Retirees rally at City Hall for Medicare Advantage bill

Fresh off a recent legal victory, retirees are pushing the City Council to buck the mayor and union leaders.

Policy

Policy

What you need to know about NYC retirees’ health care fight

A Manhattan judge temporarily blocked the city’s long pursued and controversial plan to switch city retirees to a privatized Medicare Advantage plan.

Health Care

Policy

Lawmakers introduce latest version of single-payer health care bill

The bill’s sponsors have tweaked the 30-year-old legislation in a bid to attract support from public sector unions who currently oppose it.

Abortion

Policy

Hochul marks one-year anniversary of Dobbs by signing law for telehealth abortions across state lines

The governor signed a bill that will protect New York health care providers administering abortion medication to patients living in other states – insisting New York is on solid legal footing to do so.

Policy

Policy

Coverage for All hangs in the balance as Assembly returns to Albany

Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas said she worked with the governor to amend the bill but now Hochul is “moving the goalpost.”

Policy

Policy

NYC health commissioner: 'COVID-19 is here to stay'

New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan asked for help in informing New Yorkers about existing tools to fight COVID-19, as some free ones vanish.

Politics

Politics

Adams calls for stronger mental health interventions following Jordan Neely’s killing

Mayor Eric Adams did not directly criticize Daniel Penny, the former Marine who put Neely into a deadly chokehold on a subway car

Policy

Policy

In New York, Narcan is becoming a household name

Lawmakers have worked to increase access to the opioid overdose reversal drug as thousands continue to die every year from overdoses.

Policy

Policy

More mental health crisis respite centers, in NYC Council plan

Mayor Eric Adams has his own mental health plan, but the council plans to push its priorities in the budget.

Policy

Policy

NYC health chief warns of “shorter, less healthy lives” without action

A recent report found that average life expectancy declined 4.6 years between 2019 and 2020. But Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said that COVID-19 wasn’t the only driver of those lost years.

Heard Around Town

Politics

Home care workers target Adrienne Adams

The council has not moved on a bill that would ban 24-hour work days, amid oppositions from New Yorkers with disabilities and 1199 SEIU.

Policy

Policy

‘Not in New York, not now – not ever.’ Hochul announces abortion pill stockpile after Texas ruling

After the Texas ruling to stop the use of mifepristone sent shockwaves across the nation, the governor joined Planned Parenthood to announce a stockpile of another abortion drug in the state.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: Mental health emergencies deserve compassion, not criminalization

This year’s state budget must include funding for a pilot program that sends trained counselors, not armed police officers, to respond to mental health crises.

Opinion

Opinion

Opinion: Why New York deserves a reproductive healthcare services training and education grant program

Including $6 to 8 million in the final state budget for such an effort will ensure that medical interns and residents are properly trained in medical and surgical abortion procedures.

Heard Around Town

Personality

Addiction-focused health commissioner still needs to talk to Hochul about overdoses

Acting Health Commissioner James McDonald is poised to take over permanently and has a history in overseeing controversial supervised injection sites.