Making efforts to ensure continued healthcare coverage for New York residents amid significant federal healthcare adversities

In the heart of New York City, the Community Service Society of New York (CSSNY) has been working tirelessly for over 180 years to improve the lives of working and low-income residents. At the helm of this organisation is Elisabeth Benjamin, a key figure who has dedicated a significant portion of her life's work to designing and implementing patient advocacy networks.

One of her most notable achievements is the creation of New York state's Essential Plan, launched in 2012. This innovative program offers free health coverage to people above the income cutoff for Medicaid or those who are not eligible due to immigration status but are lawfully present in the U.S. CSSNY worked closely with stakeholders such as hospitals, lawmakers, and insurance companies to get support for the Essential Plan and make it a reality.

Elisabeth Benjamin identifies healthcare access as a major issue for New Yorkers, stating that it is cost-prohibitive, difficult, and cumbersome, regardless of location, insurance status, or immigration status. She describes the healthcare system in New York as too hard to navigate on one's own.

In an effort to simplify this complex system, CSSNY trains patient navigators at community groups and ensures they all use the same secure, password-protected database. These navigators help people navigate their health coverage, working hand-in-hand with local community groups. CSSNY conducts regular case reviews with these navigators to learn from one another and improve their services.

However, recent developments in U.S. politics pose a significant threat to these hard-won gains. The "One Big Beautiful Bill" passed by a Republican-led Congress in July aims to make the most significant cuts to the U.S. safety net in modern history. The bill includes restrictions on Medicaid, which experts predict could result in 15 million people being removed from the program by 2034.

This bill also significantly reduces healthcare help for immigrants, even those lawfully present in the U.S. Elisabeth Benjamin, vice president and managing director of health initiatives at the Community Service Society of New York, voiced her dismay at the bill's passing.

Despite these challenges, CSSNY remains committed to its mission. The organisation operates a toll-free help line (888-614-5400) for people to reach out for assistance with complicated health coverage issues. Additionally, CSSNY has special programs for people who are aged, disabled, using managed long-term care services, and have mental health and/or substance issues.

As the future of healthcare in New York and the U.S. remains uncertain, Elisabeth Benjamin and CSSNY continue their fight for affordable, accessible healthcare for all.

Making efforts to ensure continued healthcare coverage for New York residents amid significant federal healthcare adversities