N.Y.C. Clerical-Administrative Employees

LOCAL 1549

DC37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

NYS Governor Spitzer's

Press Conference at

ELMHURST GENERAL HOSPITAL

March 16, 2007

Governor Eliot Spitzer joined by Local 1549 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino (2nd from left)

and District Council 37 Treasurer Maf Misbah Uddin (4th from left, striped tie)

2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino's

Comments for press follow:

Comments for Press

Press Conference

Governor’s Healthcare Budget 2007

Elmhurst Hospital, March 16, 2007

Ralph Palladino

2^nd VP Local and Hospital Chapter Chair Local 1549 DC 37 AFSCME

and Metro Plus (GOLD) Patient

            I represent the 5000 clerical and administrative employees working in the HHC public health system. I am also a patient at HHC’s Bellevue Hospital where I get excellent care.

            Our union has a slogan, “Members First.”  Those of us who work in the public hospital system in New York have another slogan, “Patients First.”

            This the first budget proposed by a Governor that I can remember that puts patients first. It is a first step at genuine healthcare reform in this state that will eventually lead to health coverage and better access for all. 

·        For the first time Medicaid dollars that are public tax dollars will go to where the Medicaid patients are.

·        It supports the public health system that exists to help everyone.

·        It is the first budget in many years that does not call for reductions in patient services or increases in patient co-pays.

·        The Governor’s efforts to re-regulate insurance company rates, limit excess profits of HMO’s and put the state in a better bargaining position with pharmaceuticals are all steps in the right direction.

This is a budget that public health workers and patients such as I can support. It

puts patients first.

Thank you.