Leaders Of Brooklyn And Manhattan Chapters Of The United Brotherhood Of Carpenters Charged In Rampant Admissions-Bribery Scheme

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael C. Mikulka, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, New York Region (“DOL-OIG”), Andriana Vamvakas, New York Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards (“DOL-OLMS”), and Margaret Garnett, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging leaders of two local chapters of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (the “Union”) with accepting tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes in return for guaranteeing admission to hundreds of prospective union members.  SALVATORE TAGLIAFERRO, the president of the Local 926 chapter of the Union, and JOHN DEFALCO, the vice president of the Local 157 chapter of the Union, were each charged with one count of honest services wire fraud, one count of conversion of union assets, and one count of conspiracy, in connection with their involvement in a scheme to solicit cash bribes in exchange for union membership.  DEFALCO was also charged with one count of witness tampering and one count of obstruction of justice, in connection with his attempts to interfere with the investigation of the scheme.  TAGLIAFERRO and DEFALCO, who were arrested this morning, are expected to be presented later today.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, the defendants abused their leadership positions to line their pockets at the expense of their union and its members, whose interests they were duty bound to protect.  By allegedly demanding and accepting cash bribes in return for union membership, the defendants not only betrayed their union, but personally profited off the needs of those seeking work.  The charges announced today reflect our tireless commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to root out corruption in union leadership and our commitment to bringing to justice those who corrupt their positions.”

DOL-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Mikulka said:  “An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations relating to labor racketeering and corruption in labor unions.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

DOL-OLMS New York Regional Director Andriana Vamvakas said:  “Safeguarding financial integrity and combatting financial malfeasance in labor unions is a very high priority for OLMS.  This indictment sends a clear message that OLMS will fully investigate and seek justice when anyone attempts to use their union position for personal financial gain at the expense of union members.”

DOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett said:  “These defendants allegedly conspired to sell sought-after union memberships for thousands of dollars, giving those who paid the steep price unearned access to coveted union construction projects and other exclusive benefits while the defendants collected the cash, according to the charges. Organized labor must be safeguarded from corruption that attempts to undermine its mission to protect the rights of working New Yorkers. DOI was proud to assist its partners at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General in investigating this case.”

According to the Indictment[1] unsealed in Manhattan federal court:

From at least in or about 2017 up through and including in or about June 2019, TAGLIAFERRO and DEFALCO abused their positions as officers of local chapters of the Union by soliciting and accepting cash bribes from prospective Union members in exchange for securing the bribe payers’ admission to the Union.  In particular, DEFALCO and other co-conspirators identified prospective members and solicited cash payments from them, often in the amount of $1,500.  Then, once prospective members made the payments, DEFALCO sent those individuals’ names to TAGLIAFERRO, who used his authority as president of the Local 926 to ensure that they were accepted into the Local 926 and received Union membership cards, even though many such bribe payers did not have Union jobs and were not eligible for admission to the Union.  Hundreds of new members were admitted to the Local 926 as a result of this scheme.  DEFALCO and TAGLIAFERRO shared the bribe payments and made at least tens of thousands of dollars from the scheme.

DEFALCO and TAGLIAFERRO also took numerous steps to conceal their conduct from investigators, and DEFALCO attempted to tamper with witnesses and obstruct the federal investigation.  Among other things, DEFALCO pressured one co-conspirator to sign an affidavit falsely exculpating him and directed that co-conspirator falsely to exculpate DEFALCO, TAGLIAFERRO, and others if questioned.  DEFALCO and TAGLIAFERRO also discussed a false cover story to explain the involvement of another co-conspirator in the scheme, and DEFALCO instructed that co-conspirator to repeat this false cover story to a federal grand jury investing his conduct.  DEFALCO also instructed a co-conspirator to delete incriminating text messages between them that were responsive to a federal grand jury subpoena served on the co-co-conspirator.

TAGLIAFERRO, 54, of Staten Island, New York, and DEFALCO, 51, of Secaucus, New Jersey, each are charged with one count of conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; one count of conversion of union assets, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of honest services wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  DEFALCO alone is also charged with one count of witness tampering and one count of obstruction of justice, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and TAGLIAFERRO and DEFALCO are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of DOL-OIG, DOL-OLMS, and DOI.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and its description set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Comptroller Stringer Report: Park Bathrooms Across the City in Decrepit State

Conditions rated unacceptable at more than 100 NYC Parks bathrooms due to unsatisfactory conditions, serious safety hazards, or a lack of cleanliness

In 10 community districts, there are less than eight NYC Parks bathrooms per 100,000 residents, with Brooklyn and Queens experiencing the biggest shortage

Over 1,000 NYC Parks bathrooms do not have changing stations for infants and toddlers and nearly 1,000 are not ADA Accessible

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a new report, “Dis-comfort Stations: The Conditions and Availability of NYC Parks Bathrooms,” revealing unacceptable conditions at more than 100 New York City park bathrooms and a failure by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) to maintain basic cleanliness. The Comptroller’s report also found a severe shortage of bathrooms across NYC Parks properties. Access to NYC Parks’ bathrooms varies significantly across community districts, with some containing as few as four bathrooms for every 100,000 residents. Looking more broadly, New York City ranks a lowly 93rd in bathrooms per 100,000 residents among the 100 largest American cities.

“Our parks are essential public spaces, offering children, seniors, and all New Yorkers a safe and secure place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. But the City’s investment and maintenance of our park bathrooms is woefully inadequate. Our bathroom facilities should be comfortable – but our report reveals many of them just stink,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Every neighborhood, including in low- to moderate-income areas, deserves quality public spaces. NYC Parks must expand the number of these bathrooms in neighborhoods in need and provide the resources to bring existing facilities to an acceptable standard. Here’s the bottom line – we all have to go. It is the City’s responsibility to make sure there is a safe, clean place to do so in our parks.”

The State of NYC Parks Bathrooms

Comptroller Stringer’s report reviewed all 1,428 NYC Parks bathrooms in New York City, and the report found:

• In NYC Parks bathrooms, nearly 400 sinks, toilets, walls, ceilings, changing tables, and other features were found to be damaged or missing in their latest inspection.
• One hundred bathrooms citywide were found to be in “unacceptable” condition by NYC Parks’ own metrics.
• Fifteen percent of NYC Parks bathrooms in Manhattan and 12 percent in Brooklyn were deemed unacceptable.
• In nine community districts, more than 25 percent of NYC Parks bathrooms were rated unacceptable. The worst performing neighborhoods included Chinatown and the Lower East Side; East Harlem; Flatbush and Midwood; East Flatbush, Farragut and Rugby; Hamilton Heights, Manhattanville and West Harlem; Canarsie and Flatlands; Bushwick; and Sunnyside and Woodside.

‘Hazardous’ and ‘Unacceptable’ Conditions at NYC Parks Bathrooms

Comptroller Stringer’s report also found that 53 “hazards” were discovered in NYC Parks bathrooms that could lead to moderate to debilitating injuries. These included exposed wires, damaged or missing safety straps on changing stations, noxious odors, and insufficient lighting. Across the five boroughs, 38 bathrooms contained hazardous conditions, including 17 in Brooklyn, eight in Manhattan, seven in the Bronx, five in Queens, and one in Staten Island.

Dangerous and injury-threatening conditions are not the only problems that New Yorkers must contend with. NYC Parks inspectors also found 399 bathroom components that were in ‘unacceptable’ condition.

• These included:
  • Twenty-nine toilets, urinals, sinks, and hand dryers that were out-of-service
  • Twenty-three soap dispensers missing or damaged
  • Twenty-three ceilings, walls, and floors deteriorated
  • Seventeen damaged changing tables
• Of the 207 NYC Parks bathrooms with at least one feature in unacceptable condition, 57 were in Brooklyn, 57 were in Queens, 49 were in Manhattan, 37 were in the Bronx, and seven were in Staten Island.

A Lack of NYC Park Bathrooms

Comptroller Stringer’s report revealed that in addition to the decrepit state of many of the city’s park bathrooms, many New Yorkers are lacking access to these facilities at all. The availability of bathrooms varies widely across neighborhoods.

• In 10 community districts, there are fewer than eight NYC Parks bathrooms for every 100,000 residents.
• Neighborhoods with the lowest number of bathrooms include Bensonhurst, Flatbush and Midwood, Howard Beach and Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, Borough Park, Jackson Heights and North Corona, and Crown Heights North and Prospect Heights.
• Morris Heights, Fordham South and Mount Hope in the Bronx have the fewest number of NYC Parks bathrooms per capita of any community district citywide.
• Moreover, many NYC Parks bathrooms provide meager access to residents of the city. A troubling 69 percent are not ADA accessible, 73 percent do not have changing stations for infants and toddlers, and 11 percent are not open year-round.

As part of the report, Comptroller Stringer offered recommendations to NYC Parks for reform, including upgrading existing bathroom facilities, installing changing stations in all 1,428 bathrooms, and building out new facilities in underserved areas throughout the city. To achieve these goals, NYC Parks must adopt procurement reforms to standardize the design and costs of new bathrooms. Comptroller Stringer also recommended NYC Parks increase investment in maintaining and operating existing bathroom facilities to improve safety and cleanliness, especially in neighborhoods with a high number of bathrooms riddled with hazardous conditions.

To read the Comptroller’s full report, click here.

DOB’S NEW INTERACTIVE MAP SHOWS 8,000 CONSTRUCTION SITES THAT REQUIRE SAFETY TRAINING

  The Buildings Department announced the release of a new, interactive map showing the location of construction sites in New York City where workers and supervisors must have site safety training under Local Law 196 of 2017. The law requires training for workers at large-scale construction projects, such as major alterations or new building projects. By simply entering the address of their workplace and seeing if it appears on DOB’s map, any construction worker or employer can find out instantly whether they or their site must have safety training.

"Requiring rigorous safety training is a critical step forward in our mission to safeguard construction workers and the public,” said Buildings Commissioner Melanie La Rocca. “This map gives greater clarity for everyone, especially construction workers, about the sites in our city that require additional safety training. Workers and their employers need to prioritize getting this potentially life-saving training right away.”

Click here to see our new map of sites that require safety training.

Click here to see DOB’s public-safety announcement on the training requirements.

"We have an obligation to prioritize safety for the people who build our city. That's why I was proud to pass Local Law 196 mandating a minimum amount of site safety training, and why I'm glad that the Department of Buildings is providing public transparency and accountability on the status of that training. This new tool will help ensure workers get the safety training they need, and help rebuild an eroding culture of safety that starts at the top," said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams.

“I am glad to see the Department of Buildings leveraging and introducing new technology to increase the safety of construction sites. This type of innovation strengthens training capacity and ensures mistakes happen less often, leaving construction workers and the public safer,” said Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr., Chair of Housing and Buildings Committee.

Construction and demolition workers at the permitted work sites that are marked on this map currently must have at least 10 hours of safety training, and will be required to have at least 30 hours of training by December 1, 2019. These same workers will be required to obtain at least 40 hours of safety training once Local Law 196 is fully phased in on September 1, 2020. Local Law 196, which Mayor de Blasio signed into law in October 2017, is intended to ensure that workers at higher-risk construction sites have the training required to spot and avoid common hazards on construction sites. Accordingly, the law mandates training for workers at sites where DOB requires construction superintendents, site-safety coordinators, site-safety managers, or concrete safety managers. In addition, as part of Local Law 196, the City Department of Small Business Services is developing a program to provide greater access to construction jobs through safety training, particularly for day laborers, employees of small businesses, and new entrants to the construction industry.

Every construction site on the map has a link to extensive information about each of these projects on DOB’s searchable online database. The map is updated daily, providing current information for members of the construction industry.

This new map is one component of the Department’s broader efforts to raise awareness about the Local Law 196 training requirements and deadlines, to ensure that all construction workers and contractors are aware of the new rules. In addition to the map, DOB has also released a PSA campaign that includes TV, radio, print, and subway ads; performed direct outreach to workers at construction sites; and hosted public information sessions. Visit nyc.gov/nycsafety for more information about obtaining Local Law 196 site-safety training, including FAQs, training curricula, and a list of DOB-approved course providers.                                                                                                                                                                                          

“We’re pleased to see that the Buildings Department is releasing this new and important mapping tool to keep track of construction sites that require additional safety training,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the 100,000 member Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and member of the Site Safety Training Task Force. “We’ve been saying for many years that rigorous safety training is the single most critical and effective way to protect the construction workforce. This new tool will be very helpful for the industry as we need to assure that all worksites are safe.”

The new map is the latest in a series of interactive dashboards, reports, and data tools released by the Department to give the public access to information about the city’s built environment, and builds off the successes of our real-time map series, which show DOB’s recent interactions with buildings across the five boroughs, active major construction projects citywide, and the locations of the more-than 8,000 permitted sidewalk sheds around the five boroughs. The Department has been hard at work creating more data-driven tools that provide the public with up-to-date information that is easily accessible, including our NYC Construction Dashboard. To find out more about how the Department is leveraging data for the benefit of the people of New York City, please visit the Data & Reporting page on our website.

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez End of Session Legislative Town Hall

Townhall

BP DIAZ CELEBRATES OPENING DAY OF CAMP JUNIOR

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. greeted the first group of Bronx kids headed to the inaugural session of "Camp Junior" as they boarded buses at the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in Belmont.

"The best way to honor Junior’s life is to encourage youth to follow in his footsteps and that’s why Junior’s family worked with my office to create Camp Junior in his memory. This camp includes an anti-violence component so that we are arming these kids with the tools to overcome the gang culture which ultimately cost Junior his life. Thank you to Junior’s parents, the Fresh Air Fund, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the New York State Parks Department for your collaboration on this incredible program,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Camp Junior is a free, two week, sleepaway Summer Camp for Bronx youth established in memory of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz. The program is administered by The Fresh Air Fund and serves Bronx children ages 9-13, and includes an anti-violence curriculum as part of its programming.

Leandra Feliz, mother of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz; Lisandro Guzman, father of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz; Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly; Erik Kulleseid, New York State Parks Commissioner; Fatima Shama, Executive Director, The Fresh Air Fund and Tim McChristian, Executive Director, Madison Square Boys & Girls Club joined Borough President Diaz to celebrate the opening of Camp Junior.

 

"The loss of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman-Feliz impacted the lives of so many in our community,” said New York State Assembly Speaker Heastie. “His death was the result of senseless violence, but by banding together in the creation of Camp Junior we're honoring his memory and providing much needed resources for at risk youth in the Bronx, acting as a deterrent from gangs. As we continue to mourn the tragic passing of Junior, this camp will memorialize his life, honoring his memory for generations to come."

"We are proud and honored to operate Camp Junior in partnership with the Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Palisades Interstate Park Commission," said Fatima Shama, Executive Director, The Fresh Air Fund. "Camp Junior will provide a safe, nurturing environment that encourages children from the Bronx to be engaged in and exposed to new environments, broaden horizons and experience ways to increase their confidence and skills. This collaboration and investment in Bronx youth will provide opportunities and interventions and help to reduce the violence affecting our young people which we believe can provide an alternative to joining gangs."

BP Diaz Jr. gives campers a high-five as they board the bus to Camp Junior.

Senator Jamaal T. Bailey Hosts Gun Violence Awareness Basketball Game

 Senator Jamaal T. Bailey hosted a gun violence awareness basketball game. The game included members from Mount Vernon Project SNUG and Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (BRAG). During the game, Senator Bailey presented both organizations with a check of $4,000 each for the work they do in the community. 

"We have lost far too many members of this community due to gun violence. I am proud to have two great organizations, BRAG and SNUG in my district, that strive everyday to combat gun violence in our neighborhoods," said Senator Bailey. 

The basketball game is a part of Senator Bailey's "24 Hour Tour of the District."  

Bronx Metro-North Co-Op City Interactive Public Workshop

Please join us and help plan around coming Metro-North service in your neighborhood! Co-Op City Interactive Public Workshop

Join us for a public workshop/open house and help plan around future Metro-North service in your neighborhood! This interactive, self-paced event is an important opportunity for the community to join city agencies in planning around future Metro-North service. Come share your local expertise, hear from your neighbors, contribute your ideas for improving pedestrian and transit connections to and from the station, and help ensure that new service is thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding neighborhoods. Activities will be self-paced and participants can come when they wish and stay for as long as they are able to.

WHEN Tuesday, July 16, 2019 6PM–8:00PM (Self-paced activities. Come when you wish and stay for long as you are able to.)

WHERE Bartow Community Center, Room 31 2049 Bartow Ave Co-Op City, Bronx

For any questions or special needs, please email bmns@planning.nyc.gov or call 718 220 8500

Find Out More

¡Únase a nosotros para un taller público interactivo y ayude a planificar alrededor del futuro servicio de Metro-North en su barrio! Co-Op City Taller Público Interactivo

¡Únase a nosotros para un taller público interactivo y ayude a planificar alrededor del futuro servicio de Metro-North en su barrio! Este evento interactivo y que irá a ritmo propio será una oportunidad importante para que la comunidad pueda unirse con agencias municipales para planificar alrededor del futuro servicio de Metro-North. Venga a compartir su pericia local, entender las perspectivas de sus vecinos, contribuir sus ideas para mejorar las conexiones a la estación para los que caminan y los que usan tránsito, y ayude a asegurar que este nuevo servicio se integre en el contexto local de una manera bien pensada.

¿CUÁNDO? Martes, 16 de Julio, 2019 6PM–8:00PM (Actividades irán a ritmo propio. Venga cuando quiera y quédese el tiempo que pueda.)

¿DÓNDE? Bartow Community Center, Room 31 2049 Bartow Ave Co-Op City, Bronx

Para cualquier pregunta o necesidades especiales, por favor, envíe un correo electrónico a bmns@planning.nyc.gov o llame al 718 220 8500

Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement Following SCOTUS Decision to Withhold Citizenship Question from the 2020 Census

The Constitutionally-mandated Decennial Census is undeniably one of the most consequential duties carried out by our federal government. If immigrants and communities of color are excluded or intimidated from participating in the Census, the results will undercount our communities by millions.

 Representative Adriano Espaillat released the following statement on the Supreme Court decision in U.S. Department of Commerce v. New York to withhold the Trump Administration’s citizenship question from the 2020 Census.

“While today’s Supreme Court decision in Department of Commerce v. New York on the inclusion of the citizenship question in the 2020 Census was mixed, the Court expressed clear skepticism as to the Trump Administration’s motives,”said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “Notably, the decision reads that, ‘Viewing the evidence as a whole, we share the District Court’s conviction that the decision to reinstate a citizenship question cannot be adequately explained in terms of DOJ’s request for improved citizenship data to better enforce the Voting Rights Act. Several points, considered together, reveal a significant mismatch between the decision the Secretary made and the rationale he provided.’ The Court sees right through the administration’s blatant lie that it needed to include a citizenship question to expand and enforce voting rights.

“To rehear this case with new evidence and further Trump Administration lies will take a significant amount of time that could result in the delay of the enumeration, having a more serious impact on the functioning of our democracy. The Trump Administration should drop its ridiculous effort to include a citizenship question, so we can have an on-time and accurate Census.”

The Constitutionally-mandated Decennial Census is undeniably one of the most consequential duties carried out by our federal government. If immigrants and communities of color are excluded or intimidated from participating in the Census, the results will undercount our communities by millions. This will diminish our congressional representation and the federal funding communities receive for the next decade, as well as determine the course of our democracy for generations to come.

Engel Statement in Opposition to Senate Border Bill

“The President and his Administration have manufactured an abhorrent humanitarian crisis at our nation’s southern border. I visited the border earlier this year and have seen the inhumane conditions these children are living in. It’s an absolute disgrace and requires significant action to fix. Unfortunately, the Senate’s solution does not do nearly enough.

“When the House passed our version of the border bill earlier in the week, we fought hard to ensure there were crucial protections and safeguards for children and families. I only voted for the bill after those concerns about health and hygiene were addressed, and assurances were made that the Administration could not re-allocate any of the funding for their nefarious purposes.

“But the Senate border bill does not have those strong protections. Because this President simply cannot be trusted to care for asylum seekers without greater oversight, I voted NO on the Senate bill this evening. It is critical to implement stronger guardrails than those proposed by the Senate GOP. These children are in desperate need of help, but this bill is not the answer.”

TO PROTECT ACCESS TO ABORTION AT NATION’S LARGEST PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM, MAYOR DE BLASIO AND NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS REJECT FEDERAL FUNDING TIED TO NEW “GAG RULE”

Under new federal rule, providers accepting Title X funds would be banned from sharing information about full range of reproductive health services, including abortion

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio, and President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals Dr. Mitchell Katz today announced the City’s public health system will cease participating in the federal Title X program for as long as the “gag rule” is in effect. The rule prevents medical providers from sharing information and counseling about abortion to their patients. In a directive to all NYC Health + Hospitals personnel, Dr. Katz today instructed doctors and nurses to support patients on whatever pathway they choose, including providing referrals to abortion and reproductive health services.

“The doctors and nurses at the heart of New York City’s public hospital system took an oath to protect and serve patients, and we will do whatever’s necessary to ensure they are able to provide the best medical treatment,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Our decision to reject Title X funds sends a clear message – we will not stand by while the Trump Administration tries to censor our providers and prevent them from giving patients information about abortions.”

“The Title X gag rule is yet another cruel attempt by federal government leaders to control reproductive rights,” saidFirst Lady Chirlane McCray. “New York City will not allow politicians with their regressive rulings to dictate what people can and cannot do with their bodies. We will protect New Yorkers access to reproductive health care – no matter what happens in Washington.”

In February 2019, the Trump Administration issued the federal “gag rule,” which bars health care providers who receive federal Title X funding from referring or counseling patients about their abortion options. A federal lawsuit – for which New York City filed an amicus brief – had been blocking the gag rule from taking effect. Last week, the Federal Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit vacated this injunction, allowing the gag rule to take effect immediately across the country. This would force doctors and medical providers who receive these federal funds for sexual and reproductive health to withhold information about safe, legal abortions from their patients.

Rather than censor providers, NYC Health + Hospitals will reject $1.3 million in federal funding from the Title X program — which funds a range of family planning and related preventive health services — until the gag rule is lifted. The City will cover the lost Title X funds, and NYC Health + Hospitals will direct doctors and nurses to continue providing referrals to abortion and reproductive health services. NYC Health + Hospitals remains committed to providing patients comprehensive reproductive health options and services the system has always offered, without interruption.

“This rule is unconscionable and an affront to the professional ethics of all doctors,” said Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “Physicians must have the freedom to provide accurate and unbiased medical information to their patients, and this rule runs counter to that basic fact. In refusing Title X funds, NYC Health + Hospitals reaffirms its commitment to protecting reproductive care rights – our doctors will not be silenced, and our patients will continue to receive the best care possible.”

“NYC Health + Hospitals delivers essential services to New Yorkers, and we will not let the federal government tell us how to limit the health care options for our patients,” said Mitchell Katz, MD, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. “We are prepared to find other ways to compensate for the loss of funding and ensure that we remain true to our mission to care for all, without exception, and regardless of income, immigration or insurance status.”

“We object to the dangerous policies that are restricting access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care across the country and will not allow the censoring of our doctors and nurses,” said Machelle Allen, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals. “Our doors will remain open to all and we will continue to support our patients on whatever path they choose.”

NYC Health + Hospitals facilities offer comprehensive and confidential care for patients that includes contraceptive counseling, management of pregnancy loss, and elective medical pregnancy termination services and surgical termination services up to 24 weeks (2nd trimester). The system is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment. 

“As the Trump-Pence administration continues to undermine the Title X national family planning program as part of its larger anti-abortion agenda, New York City is once again standing strong for abortion access,” said Andrea Miller, president of the National Institute for Reproductive Health. “NYC Health + Hospitals has a long and proud history of providing comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion, and we applaud H+H for its commitment to counseling patients without bias and offering this crucial care.”

Any New Yorker wishing to make an appointment at an NYC Health + Hospitals location can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC.