Chair Lee questions OMB on Office of Healthcare Accountability budget

Okay.

Okay, so a couple questions on the healthcare accountability, which the speaker, as you know, had created an office for.

In 2023, through the passage of bipartisan legislation,

that the Speaker championed.

The Council made it easier for New Yorkers to understand their health care costs with the creation of the nation's first municipal...

Okay, sorry, I thought I was going crazy.

Okay.

Made it easier for New Yorkers to understand their health care costs with the creation of the nation's first municipal office of health care accountability.

OHA would examine health care costs and hospital pricing practices, and the law would revolutionize health care in New York City by bringing transparency to prices and empowering New Yorkers with the information they deserve.

And as someone who is on the provider side, I can definitely tell you that this is totally true in terms of the higher costs.

So what does the current budget and headcount for the Office of Healthcare Accountability?

So first, I mean, it is an important function of this office in terms of introducing transparency in terms of hospital pricing and other ways that the consumer can be more informed.

The budget has been established within the health department, and it's fully funded at $2 million per year.

It's fully staffed at the moment.

And, you know,

There's a report that was published last year by the administration after significant sector collaboration and assessment.

And so we're proud of their work in this area in terms of Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

And they're working on the next iteration of the report.

As we speak.

Okay, and when is the next report due again?

I'm sorry.

We can come back to you on an exact timeline.

Okay.

Great.