New York State blocks free medical services at event

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

New York State blocks free medical services at event
By Sascha Brodsky
NEW YORK Fri Nov 28, 2014 4:11pm EST


(Reuters) - New York state health officials have stopped a nonprofit group from providing free medical care to thousands of patients lacking health insurance during a four-day dental conference that starts Friday.

The nonprofit, Remote Area Medical, had raised $3 million and enlisted hundreds of volunteer doctors and other medical workers to offer a range of health services, including dental care, new eyeglasses and other services. The group had planned to treat about 7,000 patients at the New York Sate event.

In September, the New York State Department of Health told the volunteer group, founded in 1985, that it could not treat patients at the conference unless it partnered with an established, state-licensed medical organization.

Despite last-minute efforts, the partnership could not be arranged in time, and the nonprofit group said it found out this week that the state would not waive the requirement.





Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/28/us-usa-newyork-medical-idUSKCN0JC22C20141128?rpc=401

[SoapBox]

1. I can only say

WTF?

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

2. Dear Governor Cuomo -

First you let the state insurance lobby write the health plans for NY state with not one of them covering out of network doctors! Not One!!
Now this??

You may as well be a republican Cuomo! You are a douche bag!

[douggg]

3. Denying the ability to give charity.

Doesn't that sound good?

[HockeyMom]

5. Don't feed the birds

No, don't feed the homeless people or you will be jailed. What is wrong with this picture today?

[babylonsister]

4. I think this is disgusting.

The patients would be grateful; are they worried about lawsuits? Sue with what?

[Ken Burch]

10. Probably doesn't want anything that would make DiBlasio look good. n/t.

[Scuba]

6. Despicable.

[jtuck004]

7. Oklahoma Dentist Exposed 7,000 Patients To HIV & Hepatitis By Using Dirty Instruments

Because it's always better when you partner with a locally licensed professional?

Here

[fasttense]

8. But some already rich corporation needs to make a profit

off of the sick and suffering. Otherwise the uber rich can't get richer. Capitalism requires the suffering of a great many so a few may live in great luxury.

[babylonsister]

11. How would they profit?

These people have been going without and will continue to do so because of this boneheaded move.

[Thor_MN]

15. Because they eventually wind up consuming ER healthcare.

Preventive charity healthcare interferes with the transfer of tax revenue to healthcare corporations.

[Ken Burch]

9. And it was re-electing this guy BECAUSE....?

More proof that, if Cuomo the Second ever runs for the presidency, he will be the most reactionary candidate in the Democratic field, and will be morally undeserving of the nomination.

[baldguy]

12. DOH Statement on Remote Area Medical Event Cancellation

Statement from NYS DOH Spokesperson Monica Mahaffey:

“The NYS Department of Health made several attempts to assist Remote Area Medical on the setup of this event, but unfortunately RAM refused to host the clinic in accordance with New York State Law. DOH is willing to continue to work with RAM to provide services in the future, once RAM has met its legal requirements.”
Additional Information:

- After learning about Remote Area Medical's event via a call for volunteers posted in the newspaper last spring, the NYS Department of Health reached out to RAM to offer guidance on how the group might move forward with its plans.
- Since DOH does not have the authority to waive state law that would have been violated by RAM's initial plan, agency officials suggested that the group work with existing licensed clinics to provide services, a process that could have made this event possible.
- As the event date approached, DOH again offered help, suggesting RAM move the event from the Javits Center to an educational facility, allowing RAM to pursue a different regulatory process.
- RAM’s unapproved plan to operate a dental and health clinic is not allowed under New York State licensure laws and raises concerns with DOH about infection control and follow-up care.
- RAM’s intention to provide dental and health services under the supervision of physicians or dentists in a “clinic” constitutes the operation of a hospital under PHL 2801 (1). Public Health Law provides that no hospital can be operated without a valid operating certificate.
- DOH is willing to continue working with RAM to enable it to provide services at a future date, once RAM has met the requirements set forth in law.

http://www.health.ny.gov/press/releases/2014/2014-11-24_remote_area_event_cancelation.htm

[Quantess]

13. Sad and wrong. (No text)

[reACTIONary]

14. I'm wondering...

... should "free" mean "unregulated? Why couldn't they comply with the law? Did they try?