Carmen Garcia of Make the Road testifies on NYC Care navigators
Carmen Garcia, a community health worker supervisor at Make the Road New York, testifies that the organization serves as NYC Care navigators and has helped over 120,000 enrollees. She shares the story of Jose, an uninsured man diagnosed with diabetes through NYC Care, and requests $100 million annually for NYC Care and CBO outreach, plus policies to keep ICE out of hospitals.
Good afternoon.
My name is Carmen Garcia.
I'm a community health worker supervisor at Make the Road New York.
Thank you, the committee and chair, for the opportunity to share about our critical work providing vital services to low-income immigrants, black and Latinx families in New York City who relied on H&H for their health.
Make the Road is the largest grassroots organization in New York City with a membership of over 30,000 low-income New Yorkers.
We have over 25 years of experience serving New York communities of color, immigrants, and working-class families who were affected by the pandemic and now for the health care cuts from HR1.
Make the Road New York believes that everyone, regardless of immigration status, should have access to primary and preventive health care with dignity and without fear.
We serve as New York City Care navigators, helping thousands of uninsured New Yorkers access low-cost or no-cost health care services.
We support them through enrollment process, helping more than 120,000 enrollees so far.
One example is Jose, who came to our offices feeling unwell.
He knew he had elevated blood glucose levels, but has not seen a primary care physician because he was uninsured.
He wasn't able to qualify for help.
coverage.
A health advocate informed him about NYC Care, assisted him with enrollment, and connected him to urgent care services at Gotham Health Clinic.
He then was very, very expressed his gratitude.
For the support he received during his visit, he was diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed medication to manage his condition.
Recent federal funding cuts and changes to health coverage eligibility have had impact on immigrants, New Yorkers, with additional changes coming in 2027.
These policies have created barriers, confusion about eligibility and uncertainty surrounding health insurance enrollment, resulting in gaps in health care access for millions of New Yorkers.
Programs like NYC Care are therefore more critical than ever, ensuring vulnerable communities can continue to access essential health care access.
Make the Road New York respectfully requests $100 million annual investment in NYC care programs to expand the program and fund CBOs to conduct outreach, education, and enrollment.
This is crucial for community-based organizations to remain integral partners on outreach, education, and enrollment efforts.
We are trusted messengers in our communities to play a critical role in connecting eligible individuals to
to care.
In moments when we are seeing increased ICE enforcement across our neighborhoods, fear in the immigrant community, health and hospital must stand firm in protecting everyone who comes to the hospital.
We recommend ensuring strong internal policies so ICE does not enter a hospital.
So this will ensure immigrants continue to feel safe accessing health and hospital facilities.
Thank you for standing up and for these vital services that immigrants and working class New Yorkers depend on.
Thank you.