Latest news with #NYCHealthDepartment
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
More concerned about teeth than constituents: Gale Brewer faces backlash over demanding dental care for migrants
Upper West Side councilwoman Gale Brewer is facing backlash after calling for free dental care for migrants, after she revealed already have paid up to $10,000 out of her own pocket to cover their dental expenses. The 73-year-old Democrat made the plea during a budget hearing with the NYC Health Department on May 23, where she criticised the lack of attention to migrants' full health needs. 'Is someone paying attention to all of their health needs?' she demanded. 'They have a lot of health needs. Forget the dental! I'm already out $8,000–$10,000 on the dental. So who is paying attention to them?' Brewer, who earns $148,500 as a council member, later told The New Post that she has been covering the cost of procedures such as root canals and cavity fillings for several migrants, especially young people she supports personally. 'I've been doing this kind of stuff for years, especially helping younger people,' said Brewer, who, along with her late husband Cal Snyder, fostered 35 children. 'This is nothing new for me.' She also pressed acting health commissioner Dr Michelle Morse to improve awareness among migrants about the city's existing free healthcare options. Brewer said many asylum seekers, particularly young delivery workers, are enrolled in city-funded health insurance schemes like NYC Care but have no idea how to use them. 'And I assume you can't do dental, because you can't get dental for Americans — let alone for anybody else. They all have dental issues.' Brewer added, 'I happen to know a lot of asylum seekers and support them.' 'These are young guys. They're pretty lost' she said, referring to what benefits the immigrants qualify for. However, her remarks have sparked criticism from some in her own district. Longtime Upper West Side activist Maria Danzilo accused Brewer of ignoring her constituents. 'This is another example of misplaced priorities from Gale Brewer,' Danzilo said. 'It's unfortunate that Gale feels migrants' dental problems are more important than the needs of her own constituents. What is she doing about the healthcare needs of her community? Plenty of New Yorkers also lack medical coverage.' Morse responded by promising that the Health Department would work with city hospitals to improve outreach efforts about available healthcare services under NYC Care. City law already requires all hospitals to treat emergency patients regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. Migrants seeking asylum are eligible for Medicaid, while minors, seniors, and pregnant women can access free healthcare regardless of immigration status. The health department declined to say whether Brewer could have referred migrants to more affordable city options rather than paying out of pocket. This isn't the first time Brewer has made headlines during budget hearings. In March, she told correction officials that the food served at Rikers Island made her sick — and suggested the city should serve inmates 'farm-to-table' meals like those at high-end Manhattan restaurants.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Woke NYC Councilwoman Gale Brewer demanding free dental care for migrants
A lefty Upper West Side councilwoman demanded free dental care for illegal immigrants this week — as she revealed she's shelled out more than $8,000 of her own dough to keep their pearly whites intact. 'Is someone paying attention to all of their health needs!' Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) roared at NYC Health Department officials during a May 23 budget hearing. 'They have a lot of health needs. Forget the dental! I'm already out $8,000-$10,000 on the dental. So who is paying attention to them?' she scolded. 7 Councilwoman Gale Brewer claims getting proper dental care for illegal immigrants is like pulling teeth. Getty Images Brewer, who earns $148,500 as a council member, told The Post Friday she's been fighting tooth and nail for migrants' health needs — including paying out of her own pocket for some of them to root canals, cavity fillings, and other dental procedures. 'I've been doing this kind of stuff for years, especially helping younger people,' said the 73-year-old Brewer, who previously fostered 35 children with her husband, author Cal Snyder. 'This is nothing new for me.' During the hearing, Brewer told Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse the agency needs to do a better job spreading the word about what free healthcare assistance is available to migrants at city hospitals — including dental. 'Those guys you see driving those mobile e-bikes, they all have [city-funded health insurance] …, but they don't know what to do with it, to be honest with you,' she said. 7 'They have a lot of health needs. Forget the dental! I'm already out $8,000-$10,000 on the dental. So, who is paying attention to them?' Brewer said. New York City Council 'And I assume you can't do dental, because you can't get dental for Americans — let alone for anybody else. They all have dental issues.' 'I happen to know a lot of … asylum seekers [and] support them,' she ranted. 'You can't imagine how well I know then them – extremely well. And so, I've taken on a lot of the young people, a ton of them.' 'These are young guys. They're pretty lost' about what taxpayer-funded health benefits they qualify for, Brewer added. 7 Brewer told Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse the agency needs to do a better job spreading the word about what free healthcare assistance is available to migrants at city hospitals. 7 Morse said her agency would work with the city's hospital system to expand education to migrants about free healthcare services through the 'NYC Care' program. New York City Council 'I'm really concerned about their health.' Critics said the longtime pol is more concerned with illegal migrants' pearly whites than the needs of her own district. 'This is another example of misplaced priorities from Gale Brewer,' said longtime Upper West Side activist Maria Danzilo. 7 Recently arrived asylum seekers get information on free health care in front of P.S. 188 in Coney Island, which has recently begun housing migrants in the school gym on May 16, 2023, in New York City. Getty Images 'It's unfortunate that Gale feels migrants' dental problems are more important that the needs of her own constituents in the community. 'What is she doing about the healthcare needs of her community? Plenty of New Yorkers also lack medical coverage.' Morse said her agency would work with the city's hospital system to expand education to migrants about free healthcare services through the 'NYC Care' program. 7 Darton College dental hygiene students Regina Schirato and Brooke Wenck give a farm worker a dental exam Wednesday evening, June 18, 2003, in a migrant farmer camp near Moultrie, Georgia. Getty Images All city hospitals – both public and private – are required by law to treat emergency patients regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status. Migrants who've applied for political asylum are also eligible for Medicaid benefits. Minors, seniors, and pregnant women are eligible for free health care regardless of their immigrant status. The Health Department declined to comment when asked if Brewer could've saved herself some cash by directing migrants with dental issues to city hospitals or health centers. 7 Brewer said she's been fighting tooth and nail for migrants' health needs. Laura Cavanaugh This isn't the first time during hearings over the next fiscal year's budget where Brewer's gone off on a wild tangent. She told Department of Correction honchos during a March hearing that the food menu offered on Rikers Island is so bad it makes her sick to her stomach. Brewer then proclaimed she wanted the city to feed jailbirds 'farm-to-table' meals, like ones served up at some of the Big Apple's top Michelin-starred restaurants.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYC raccoons to be vaccinated against rabies virus
NEW YORK (PIX11) – The City of New York is fighting against the rabies virus by vaccinating not dogs, not cats – but raccoons. The New York City Department of Health will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits to immunize raccoons against the rabies virus in Brooklyn and Queens, the agency announced on Wednesday. More Local News 'Rabies is a severe disease that can be fatal. The NYC Health Department's efforts to vaccinate raccoons against rabies will protect New Yorkers, their pets, and the City's wildlife,' said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. 'New Yorkers can do their part by keeping their pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and maintaining distance from wildlife.' This year alone, 11 raccoons have tested positive for rabies in the Big Apple, and rabid raccoons have also been found on Long Island. The USDA distributes baits in small, brown, fish-scented packages. Raccoons are attracted to the odor, and when they chew the bait, they become immunized, protecting them against rabies infection. These baits are usually not harmful to humans if ingested, according to officials. Raccoons are common in New York. If seen during the day, the animal is likely searching for food. Never feed the raccoons, officials say. To protect your pet against rabies, keep their vaccinations up to date, and never leave them unattended outside. If you see an animal acting strangely, call 311. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird Flu detected in 3 NYC cats who came in contact with 'Savage Cat Food'
The Brief The NYC Health Department is warning New Yorkers to not feed their pets food from the raw pet food company Savage Cat Food. According to officials, about three cats have been infected with Avian influenza (bird flu) in the past two months, all connected to Savage Cat Food and poultry packets. Health officials report that one cat fell ill this month after eating Savage Cat Food, showing fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory symptoms. NEW YORK - The NYC Health Department is warning New Yorkers to not feed their pets food from the raw pet food company Savage Cat Food. What they're saying According to officials, about three cats have been infected with Avian influenza (bird flu) in the past two months, all connected to Savage Cat Food and poultry packets. Two cats were confirmed and another became ill but was not tested for the virus. "We strongly encourage New Yorkers whose cats are experiencing illness after consuming Savage Cat Food products or other raw meat or dairy products to contact their veterinarian," said NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse. " The lot number for the packets is 11152026. What we know Health officials report that one cat fell ill this month after eating Savage Cat Food, showing fever, loss of appetite, and severe respiratory symptoms. Testing at Cornell Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed H5 bird flu, with testing by the USDA still pending. The cat later died from the infection. A second cat also died as a result of H5N1 after developing a fever and severe respiratory and liver disease. Additional testing suggests the cat was infected with an H5N1 strain related to that found in Savage Cat food, lot 11152026. Officials say this cat did not consume the raw food product but was exposed to a sick cat, which is now the third cat reportedly ill. The third cat developed a fever after eating Savage Cat Food but survived. However, H5 testing was not conducted and cannot be due to the time that has passed. The Health Department has been communicating with cat owners and veterinary staff, as well as Savage Pet Food. According to the NYC Health Department, while cat H5N1 infections are rare, people who were in contact with the sick cats have been advised to monitor their health. Arrangements will be made for testing, treatment, or prophylaxis if indicated. Cats sick with bird flu might experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever. They could have reddened or inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes and nose. They might have difficulty breathing or have tremors or seizures. If your cat is sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system. The bird flu can spread through an infected animal's bodily fluids, but there have also been reports of cats getting the virus from food. In the past four months, three pet food brands have issued recalls, with two still in effect. Monarch Raw Pet Food remains under recall, and Wild Coast Raw recently recalled its products after a pet died from the virus. The company announced it would switch to fully cooked recipes to reduce the risk. While dogs can get the virus, officials say cats are more likely to be affected. Tips for pet owners Avoid feeding pets raw food or raw milk If you pet has eaten raw food and shows sign of sickness, call your vet immediately and isolate from other pets Keep your cats indoors If you are walking your dog, avoid dead or sick animals
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Patients test negative for Ebola after medical scare at CityMD in Manhattan
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) — Health officials were alert on Sunday after two individuals were rushed to a hospital due to possible exposure to an infectious disease. Paramedics used personal protective equipment and the two were tested for Ebola, according to city officials. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State 'Neither patient had exposure to Ebola or other factors that would indicate risk,' New York City Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse wrote on X. 'The NYC Health Department is in close communication with FDNY, CityMD, and NYC Health + Hospitals.' A New York City Health Department spokesperson sent the following statement to PIX11 News: 'Symptoms were consistent with a gastrointestinal illness, such as norovirus or food poisoning. The patient was discharged from the hospital.' Norovirus cases in New York City have skyrocketed this winter, according to data from the Health Department. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. Flu levels remain 'very high' in NY, NJ: CDC While there is no specific medicine to treat norovirus, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, including cooking shellfish thoroughly, washing fruits and vegetables, and washing laundry in hot water. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
