WILLIAMS CALLS FOR ANSWERS AND REFORMS ON PLANNED NYCHA HEAT OUTAGES

  Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams called for answers and policy reforms today after the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) planned to shut off heat at four developments as temperatures were set to hit seasonal lows for the year. The letter follows reports regarding expected outages at Castle Hill Houses (Bronx), Campos Plaza 2 (Manhattan), Fulton Houses (Manhattan), and the Whitman Houses (Brooklyn), where repairs were rescheduled for November 15th, and would leave 1,600 residents temporarily without heat. 

In a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with the NYCHA General Manager, Chair, and federal monitor, the Public Advocate questions why these repairs were not completed before heat season began, and what other developments are subject to outages, stating "I appreciate postponing these outages by a few days, but the people living in these units are not just numbers - they are human beings with families and lives to live."

He further proposes reforms including temporary heat centers and/or relocation for residents facing heat and hot water outages, adequate notice to residents about planned repairs, a prioritization toward repairs taking place during warmer months, and expediting the installation of new boilers. 

Williams has previously passed legislation requiring that during 'heat season,' which spans October 1 to May 31:

• Between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M., inside temperatures are maintained at a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit when the outdoor temperature falls below 55 degrees.

• Between 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M., indoor temperatures must be maintained at a minimum of 62 degrees, regardless of the outdoor temperature.

The full text of the letter is below and can be downloaded here.

November 12, 2019

The Honorable Bill de Blasio Mayor  City of New York City Hall New York, NY 10007 Bart Schwartz Chair Guidepost Solutions 415 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10017

Gregory Russ Chair New York City Housing Authority 250 Broadway New York, NY 10007 Vito Mustaciuolo General Manager and COO New York City Housing Authority 250 Broadway New York, NY 10017

Dear Colleagues:

I write regarding reported, planned heat outages for more than 1,600 New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents that were initially scheduled to commence this morning.

As you know, NYCHA announced planned heat outages at certain buildings in the Castle Hill Houses (Bronx), Campos Plaza 2 (Manhattan), Fulton Houses (Manhattan), and the Whitman Houses (Brooklyn) to make planned repairs. These outages would have covered more than 600 units across the four campuses on a day when temperatures were predicted to drop to as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit with the possibility of snow. Though these planned outages were ultimately postponed until November 15 (when temperatures are predicted to be above freezing), other NYCHA tenants have not been as lucky - as more than 7,000 residents at NYCHA developments went without heat or hot water due to unexpected outages last Friday while temperatures fell to near-freezing levels. As such, I am concerned that NYCHA has failed to properly prepare all developments for the cold weather season, exposing some of our most vulnerable residents to frigid temperatures in their own homes. And as of this afternoon, thousands of NYCHA residents, including nearly 3,000 at the Lincoln Houses alone, are without heat and/or hot water as temperatures continue to drop due to unplanned outages.

Press reports show several residents expressing shock that, suddenly, their developments would be without critical services (even for repairs). I'm concerned that, every heat season, we're simply not doing enough without our own ability.

Why were these repairs not completed before heat season began? What other developments are subject to outages? I appreciate postponing these outages by a few days, but the people living in these units are not just numbers - they are human beings with families and lives to live.

To ensure New Yorkers retain their right to heat and hot water, I urge NYCHA to make the following policy changes immediately: 

• For any heat or hot water repairs scheduled to last longer than 10 hours, NYCHA must move residents into hotels or another suitable temporary residential unit for the duration of the repairs, and not at any resident's expense. For any heat or hot water repairs planned to last for fewer than 10 hours, NYCHA must provide residents with access to a temporary heating center at or near the development, and not at any resident's expense.
• Prior to all scheduled heat and hot water repairs, NYCHA must provide at least two weeks' notice to all affected residents that heat and hot water will be unavailable.
• NYCHA must prioritize and schedule all vital heat and hot water repairs during warm weather months to ensure residents have heat during the fall and winter.
• NYCHA must upgrade its online Service Interruptions Overview portal to provide residents with an estimated timeline for completion of the repairs.
• The federal monitor should work to expedite the installation of new boilers at 25 developments using the $363 million he approved earlier this month and ensure these boilers are installed prior to the stated 2023 deadline

For any questions or further discussion, please contact Nick E. Smith, First Deputy Public Advocate for Policy, at nsmith@advocate.nyc.gov. Thank you very much for your time and your consideration.

 

Sincerely,

Jumaane D. Williams

Public Advocate for the City of New York

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $12.3 Million Settlement With Lenox Hill Hospital For Submitting Fraudulent Medicare Claims For Urology Procedures And Hospital Services

Defendants Admit Practices Resulted in Submission of Several Million Dollars of Inappropriate Claims to Medicare

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) New York Regional Office, announced today that the United States filed and settled a civil fraud lawsuit against LENOX HILL HOSPITAL (“Lenox Hill”) and its corporate parent NORTHWELL HEALTH, INC. (“Northwell”) (together, “Defendants”).  The Government’s Complaint-in-Intervention (the “Complaint”) alleges that Defendants violated the False Claims Act by fraudulently billing Medicare for healthcare services that did not comply with Medicare law.  The Complaint specifically alleges that in conjunction with Defendants’ employment of Lenox Hill’s former chair of the Department of Urology, David B. Samadi (“Samadi”), Defendants submitted claims for: (1) endoscopic procedures that were performed, at least in part, by insufficiently supervised medical residents; (2) robotic surgeries for which, at some point during the surgery, Samadi left the patient improperly unattended in order to supervise a different surgery; (3) medically unnecessary hospital services; and (4) designated health services referred to Lenox Hill by Samadi when his compensation arrangement violated the federal Stark Law. 

Under the settlement, approved by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, Defendants agreed to pay $12.3 million to resolve the allegations in the Complaint.  As part of the settlement, Defendants also admitted, acknowledged, and accepted responsibility for conduct alleged in the Complaint, including that “Defendants’ practices resulted in the submission of several million dollars of inappropriate claims to Medicare.”

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “Patients put great trust in hospitals, particularly when it comes to surgery.  Hospitals cannot pay surgeons for their referrals, and they cannot run their operating rooms like assembly lines.  Defendants prioritized maximizing their own revenues over regulatory compliance.  This Office will not tolerate such behavior, and today’s settlement makes clear that the Government will hold hospitals accountable when they engage in such misconduct.”

HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert said:  “Lenox Hill Hospital elected to increase their profits by paying handsomely for referrals without any regard to patient care – ultimately violating Medicare rules and regulations.  The Medicare program is designed to protect both beneficiaries and taxpayers.  We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to enforce these rules.”    

As alleged in the Complaint, from July 2013 through June 2018 (the “Covered Period”), Samadi oversaw Lenox Hill’s Department of Urology, including the training of its medical residents.  During Samadi’s tenure, Defendants encouraged and facilitated surgical practices that violated Medicare’s rules and regulations that govern a teaching physician’s presence and availability during both endoscopy and high-risk, complex surgery.  Although Medicare allows teaching institutions to utilize medical residents in the provision of surgical care, the law requires that a board certified senior surgeon provide adequate supervision.  Throughout the Covered Period, in order to maximize the revenues that Samadi generated for Lenox Hill, Defendants allowed Samadi to engage in an overlapping surgical practice wherein he was insufficiently available to provide the supervisory oversight required by Medicare.  Specifically, Defendants would schedule Samadi to perform two separate surgeries, one endoscopic and one robotic, at the exact same time.  During the course of the two surgeries, a medical resident would remain with the patient undergoing an endoscopic procedure or operation.  Meanwhile, Samadi himself would travel back and forth between the endoscopic room, and an adjacent operating room in which Samadi conducted high-risk, complex, surgeries utilizing a surgical robot.  This practice not only violated Medicare law, it also violated Northwell’s own resident supervision policy – and it resulted in Defendants’ submission of false claims.  Moreover, Samadi’s patients were never informed that their surgeries were scheduled to overlap with another of Samadi’s scheduled surgeries.

Samadi’s operating room practices also resulted in the submission of medically unnecessary claims.  In a further effort to maximize Samadi’s availability to perform revenue-generating surgeries, Defendants allowed Samadi to perform minor diagnostic procedures in a Lenox Hill operating room.  Operating room services, such as the services provided by operating room nurses and/or anesthesiologists, were medically unnecessary in the case of these minor procedures.  Nonetheless, in conjunction with the minor diagnostic procedures that Samadi’s patients underwent in a Lenox Hill operating room, Defendants submitted claims to Medicare for the medically unnecessary operating room services provided.  These unnecessary services were also ineligible for Medicare reimbursement.

Lastly, Defendants submitted claims for health services that violated the Stark Law.  The Stark Law is a federal law that prohibits a hospital from receiving Medicare reimbursement for services referred by a physician with whom the hospital has a prohibited financial relationship.  The law is intended to prevent conflicts of interest in physician referrals.  Throughout the Covered Period, Defendants paid Samadi a guaranteed salary of over two million dollars each year, as well as an annual incentive bonus of an additional two to five million dollars each year.  This compensation grossly exceeded fair market value because it factored in the value of Samadi’s referrals to Lenox Hill.  In addition, in calculating Samadi’s incentive bonus, Lenox Hill included revenues from services not personally performed by Samadi.  This inclusion of non-personally performed services in a physician’s incentive compensation also violated the Stark Law.  Given these facts, Samadi and Lenox Hill had a prohibited financial relationship under the Stark Law throughout the Covered Period.  Defendants therefore were not permitted to submit to Medicare reimbursement claims for the health services referred to them by Samadi.

As part of the settlement, Defendants admitted conduct alleged in the Complaint, including that:

• At the time of Samadi’s recruitment and hiring, Defendants prepared internal documents that contained analyses of Samadi’s future referrals to Lenox Hill for designated health services.  These documents projected revenues of over four million dollars a year attributable to Samadi’s future referrals.  These documents also projected that, without taking into account these revenues, Lenox Hill would operate Samadi’s medical practice at a loss of over one million dollars each year.

• Throughout the Covered Period, taking into account only the value of Samadi’s own collections, Lenox Hill operated Samadi’s medical practice at a loss of over one million dollars each year.

• From October 2016 through at least July 1, 2017, Northwell had an internal policy stating that “[w]hen a Teaching Physician is not present during non-Critical non-Key Portions of the procedure and is participating in another surgical procedure, he/she must arrange for another qualified surgeon to immediately assist the resident in the other case should the need arise.”  The policy further stated, under the section titled “Teaching Physician Requirements for Endoscopy,” that “[t]he Teaching Physician must be present in the room for the entire viewing from the time the scope is inserted to the time the scope is removed.”

• During much of the Covered Period, Samadi performed surgical operations and procedures at Lenox Hill in the following manner:
  • Samadi performed procedures in two operating rooms – OR 21 and OR 25, and sequenced the order of procedures such that portions of procedures performed in OR 21 overlapped with procedures performed in OR 25, and vice versa. 
  • During the portions of OR 21 and OR 25 procedures that overlapped, Samadi generally performed complex, robotic surgical procedures in OR 25, and residents assigned to be supervised by Samadi performed endoscopic operations and procedures in OR 21.
  • Samadi rarely designated another attending urologist to assist in OR 21 for the portions of the procedure from which Samadi himself was absent because of his participation in another surgical procedure occurring in OR 25.
  • In instances when Samadi stepped away from a procedure in OR 25 to supervise a procedure in OR 21, Samadi would freeze or pause the robotic equipment in OR 25 and leave the patient under the care of the anesthesiologist, operating room staff, and, in some instances, a urology resident.  No other attending urologist was present in OR 25 for the portion of time that Samadi was absent, even though the surgery had not yet concluded.  Samadi also did not inform any other attending urologist of the specific times during a surgery when he was absent from OR 25.
  • It was not Samadi’s personal practice to inform his patients when their surgeries were scheduled to overlap with another of Samadi’s scheduled surgeries.
     
• Samadi performed cystograms and cystoscopies on patients in OR 21 in certain instances when it was not medically necessary to perform these procedures in an operating room setting.  Lenox Hill submitted to Medicare claims for payment associated with the services rendered by operating room staff in conjunction with these procedures.

• Defendants’ practices resulted in the submission of several million dollars of inappropriate claims to Medicare.

On Veterans Day, Comptroller Stringer Unveils New Tax Reform Proposal to Support Veterans Struggling Through Affordability Crisis

Amid New York City’s affordability crisis, over 100,000 veterans make less than $35,000 a year

Stringer calls on City and State to create a Veterans’ Renter’s Tax Credit for veteran tenants

Proposal would alleviate growing rent-burden for 32,000 low-income veterans

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer called on the City and State to deliver economic relief to tens of thousands of veterans struggling through New York City’s affordability crisis. Comptroller Stringer’s plan would expand an existing tax relief program to target support to veterans who are renters – providing an estimated 32,000 low-income veterans with new support.

“In New York City, we honor and recognize the service and sacrifice that veterans have made to our country – and we must do more to recognize the hardships faced by veterans in our city,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “On Veterans Day, and every day, we must recommit to supporting our veterans. It’s on us to stand up for veterans struggling through our affordability crisis, and we can honor their service by guaranteeing real relief.”

New York State and New York City’s current veteran-targeted tax credit programs leave tens of thousands of veterans without much-needed support – notably among veterans who rent their homes. At the same time, many veterans are struggling economically as the median income for New York City veterans is $35,000, compared to $57,000 citywide. Veterans are also more likely to experience homelessness. Comptroller Stringer’s proposal would expand on an existing program to address these limitations and support New York City’s veterans.

A Veterans’ Renter’s Tax Credit

Currently, veterans who are homeowners can receive tax exemptions to reduce their property taxes by as much as 25% if the veteran served in a combat zone and as much as 50% if the veteran was disabled as a result of their military service. According to the latest statistics, approximately 45,000 New York City veteran homeowners received property tax exemptions totaling $47 million, an average of just over $1,000.

Today, Comptroller Stringer is calling for a new Veterans’ Renter’s Tax Credit, modeled on the existing NYC Enhanced Property Tax Credit program. Comptroller Stringer proposes revising the credit to ensure that low income veterans who rent receive equivalent support as homeowners by making the refund more generous – the average credit last year was $39 for renters – and raising the maximum credit for veterans to $1000. The Comptroller’s office estimates this expanded benefit would provide over 32,000 low income veterans an average benefit of nearly $653 at a total cost of $21 million, a small amount compared to the total residential property taxes of more than $13 billion.

To read Comptroller Stringer’s full proposal, click here.

NYC EM REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR WINTER WEATHER

WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR A WINTRY MIX AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REMINDS NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR THE WEATHER

A wintry mix of rain and possible snow may cause slippery conditions Tuesday; a cold front moves in Tuesday afternoon bringing frigid temperatures and single-digit wind chill values

  As a low-pressure system moves into the New York City area Tuesday, the New York City Emergency Management Department reminds New Yorkers to prepare for the weather. According to the latest National Weather Service forecast, light rain moves into the area Tuesday morning, and may transition to light snow around noon. The precipitation is forecast to taper off early Tuesday afternoon. A coating to a tenth of an inch of snow is possible for New York City. New Yorkers should prepare for slippery road conditions, exercise caution when driving, walking, or biking, and consider taking public transportation whenever possible.

“With the potential for the first snowfall of the season and the cold weather to follow, you may experience slippery road conditions on Tuesday. We encourage New Yorkers to allow for extra travel time and exercise caution during your commutes,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell. “The temperatures will also drop drastically; be sure to bundle up, and remember to check on your friends and loved one who may need help during the cold weather.”

“Extremely cold temperatures can be very dangerous for anyone, but especially those at higher risk for hypothermia, such as those who are experiencing homelessness and those without heat at home,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “We recommend New Yorkers stay inside as much as possible, but if you do have to go outside, please bundle up and dress warmly. If you are without heat at home, call 311. Stay alert for signs of hypothermia, like intense shivering, lack of coordination or dizziness, and if you experience them, seek medical attention or call 911.”

As precipitation tapers off, a strong cold front will move through the area Tuesday, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures throughout the day. Temperatures Tuesday night are forecast to be in the teens with single-digit wind chill values. Wind chill values will be in the teens Wednesday morning, with temperatures in the mid-30s. Seasonal temperatures return Thursday, with high temperatures in the mid-40s. 

Safety Tips

·   Allow for extra travel time, and exercise caution when driving, walking or biking. Consider taking public transportation wherever possible.

·    Keep your vehicle’s gas tank as full as possible.

·   Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.

·   Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.

·    Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

·  Wear dry, warm clothing and cover exposed skin if you have to go outdoors. Keep fingertips, earlobes, and noses covered. Wear a hat, hood, scarf, and gloves.

·     Return indoors when shivering. Shivering is an important first sign that the body is losing heat.

·     Be safe when working outside. Working outdoors increases risks for cold-related illness, injury or death. Employers must ensure safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on cold and winter weather safety.

·   Limit alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol may make you feel warmer but it causes your body to lose heat faster and impairs judgment. As a result, alcohol actually increases your chances of hypothermia and frostbite.

·  Immediately tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner if you do not have heat. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly and go to a warm place, such as a friend or family member’s home. If you stay at home, wear layers of clothing.

· Check on family, friends and neighbors who may need help in cold weather — especially older adults or people with disabilities — to make sure they are safe inside and have heat.

For more information, visit NYC.gov/EmergencyManagement. New Yorkers are also encouraged to download the free Notify NYC mobile application, which is available from iTunes or Google Play. Notify NYC is the City’s free emergency notification system that allows New Yorkers to also receive phone calls, text messages, and/or email alerts about weather conditions and other emergencies. To learn more about the Notify NYC program or to sign up, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

Census 2020 Hiring Event

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CITY VETERANS AT VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST

Variety of new mental health outreach and support programs, new mentorship program part of expanded role for Department of Veterans Services

 Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner of Department of Veterans Services James Hendon today announced a major expansion of programs offered through the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) that will help the City make huge strides forward in its mental health outreach, and treatment efforts for veterans citywide. The Mayor made the announcement at a Gracie Mansion breakfast reception in honor of Veterans Day.

Today’s announcement includes a suite of programs that will revamp the City’s mental health efforts for veterans and touches on a wide variety of mental health components, ranging from peer support and training for mental health professionals to holistic mental health treatments and legal services. Included in the announcement is Service2Service, a joint DVS-NYC Service mentorship program that connects veterans and AmeriCorps alumni with mentors in City government to help them find careers as civil servants.

“As the son of a World War II veteran, I know the men and women who serve our country can carry a tremendous pain that is still felt years or decades later,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As the only city with our own Department of Veterans Services, New York City is here to help its veterans shoulder the load, and today that means providing them with new tools to look after their mental health. I’m proud of the successes DVS has achieved so far, and I know this announcement will lead to further victories for our city’s veterans in years to come.”

“Far too many veterans struggle to transition back into civilian life following their service, and it's our duty to make sure they feel our support when they return from active duty,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. ”Our heroes deserve nothing less and through partnerships with ThriveNYC as well as local and federal agencies, we will continue to address the stigma around veteran’s mental health by providing them with more of the tools they need for long-term health and success.”

"Properly observing Veterans Day means not only thanking our veterans for their service today, but committing ourselves to have their backs the other three hundred and sixty-four days of the year," said J. Phillip Thompson, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Policy Initiatives. "Today's announcement makes clear that whether it comes to addressing the crisis of veterans homelessness or ensuring our veterans have appropriate tools to address their mental health needs, New York City and the Department of Veterans Services stands with its veterans every single day."

"Too many of the tragedies that befall our veterans after coming home -- whether it's a struggle with addiction or the crisis of veteran homelessness -- are linked to the lack of appropriate tools to address their mental health challenges. So I can think of nothing better we can give our veterans on this important day than a full toolbox to help ensure their needs are taken care of," said Lt. Col. James Hendon, Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs. "DVS stands ready to help our City's brothers and sisters who have served in the armed forces take care of their mental health needs as they return to civilian life."

Several new mental health programs were part of today’s announcement, including:

Mental Health Support: DVS will recruit more vetted mental health partners to its VetConnectNYC referral service. This will allow the department to scale up all its mental health initiatives, including the VetsThriveNYC Core 4 whole health model, a community and peer-based approach that engages veterans both in clinical settings and through lower-stigma methods such as peer support and cultural engagement.

Legal Services: The City will help provide grants to legal services organizations that will help veterans challenge their discharge status, including LGBTQIA+ veterans given less than honorable discharges due to their orientation or gender identity. With an honorable discharge status, more veterans will be able to receive VA services previously denied to them, including mental health care.

PTSD Treatment: In collaboration with the Research & Recognition Project, a national leader in reconsolidation of traumatic memory (RTM) protocol, the City will recruit licensed mental health professionals for training in RTM, a PTSD treatment method created through working with 9/11 survivors.

Holistic Services: Through public-private partnerships, the City will support veteran-specific holistic treatments, including service animals, meditation training, yoga, and expressive therapy. Through coordinated partnerships with VA medical centers and veterans services organizations, DVS will encourage veterans and their families to seek out additional therapies to complement their mental health care treatment.

Peer Support: Thanks to a $300,000 State grant, the City will create a peer-to-peer program for Veterans facing the challenges of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The program will be administered through the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project.

Interagency Mental Health Task Force: The City will join a new Mental Health Advisory Council with local, state, federal and private partners through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Additionally, the Mayor and Commissioner Hendon this morning unveiled Service2Service, a new joint City mentorship initiative through DVS and NYC Service. Service2Service will aid NYC veterans and AmeriCorps alumni by connecting them with City employee mentors. The program aims to build relationships between service-minded New Yorkers and empower mentees with the network, knowledge, and resources to continue a legacy of service with the City. The inaugural class of Service2Service participants will include 40 City employees, 20 veterans, and 20 AmeriCorps alumni for a six-month mentorship program.

“Veterans and AmeriCorps alumni share a deep commitment to our communities,” said NYC Chief Service Officer Anusha Venkataraman. “NYC Service is so proud to partner with DVS on Service2Service to create a space where these civic leaders can make connections, develop professionally, and discover the next step in their legacy of service.”

Today’s announcements came at a breakfast reception in honor of Veterans Day at Gracie Mansion, where Colonel Ivan Monclova, combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Commander of the 1st Marine Corps District in Garden City, NY, was the keynote speaker. The Mayor continued his observance of Veterans Day by speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Veterans Day Parade.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES:

The New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) strives to improve the lives of all veterans and their families, regardless of discharge status. DVS operates as a centralized hub able to put veterans at the center of all its efforts, coordinating services with a range of agencies at the City, state, and federal level, as well as through public-private partnerships. Its mission is straightforward: to foster purpose-driven lives for NYC service members, veterans, and their families through effective connections with the NYC community; targeted advocacy at the local, state, and national level; compassionate service, ensuring that it is easier for veterans to access services and benefits they’ve earned. DVS believes veterans are civic assets whose strength and demonstrated commitment to public service help NYC thrive.

Team Ritchie - It happened, Mr. Trump

Team,

On Monday, President Trump hopped on Air Force One, flew to Kentucky for a pre-election rally, and said this to the Lexington crowd:

"Here's the story," Trump told thousands of supporters ahead of Tuesday's election. "If you win, they are going to make it like, ho hum. And if you lose, they are going to say Trump suffered the greatest defeat in the history of the world. You can't let that happen to me!"

It happened, Mr. Trump. Thanks to some awesome grassroots organizing, Kentuckians sent one of the worst governors in the country packing Tuesday night — soundly rejecting Trump’s divisive brand of politics in the process. THAT’S the power movements have to bring change.

And it wasn’t just Kentucky. In Virginia, we took back control of the House of Delegates for the first time in 20 years. Democrats now control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature, a sight unseen since 1993. Even in New York, voters across the city solidified the progress being made on an agenda that benefits working families.

But these victories don’t just happen, team. It takes a strong movement to spread our positive vision for working families — and grassroots campaigns like mine depend on supporters like you for the resources needed to do that.

With less than a year to go before Election Day 2020, we’re working to build a movement capable of beating the ten other candidates in this race. 

Paid for by Ritchie Torres for Congress

EDITOR'S NOTE:

We have to wonder if Councilman Torres knows just whom he is running against? 

Is he is running against Donald Trump for President, or up to ten other candidates for the 15th Congressional District? 

CITY LAUNCHES NEW LEADFREENYC HOME OUTREACH EFFORT TO COMBAT POTENTIAL LEAD PAINT EXPOSURE

The de Blasio Administration today launched a data-based outreach and inspection effort to combat childhood lead exposure. The outreach aims to reach families of young children currently in buildings where lead-based paint might exist.

“We are doubling down on our efforts to eradicate childhood lead exposure through LeadFreeNYC. This unprecedented outreach effort to 100,000 homes will hold landlords accountable and keep our kids safe,” said Kathryn Garcia, DSNY Commissioner and Senior Advisor for Citywide Lead Prevention.

“Ensuring the quality and safety of our housing stock and protecting residents—especially children–is our top priority. This latest outreach effort is part of the comprehensive approach the Administration is taking with LeadFreeNYC to target buildings where children may have been exposed to lead and connect them with the resources they need to stay safe,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll.

“Peeling lead-based paint is the most commonly identified source of childhood lead exposure,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “Working with our partner agencies, we take every possible action to ensure that children live in homes that are free of lead-based paint hazards.” 

It is the responsibility of owners to keep their buildings free of lead paint hazards. In buildings constructed prior to 1978, the City will conduct outreach to all units and offer inspections to families with children under six who currently reside in a building where from 2013 to 2018 there was a child with an elevated blood lead level at or above 5mg/dcl. At that time, a blood lead level of 5mg/dcl or above did not automatically trigger a home inspection by City officials, but out of an abundance of caution, the City will now conduct targeted outreach in these buildings.   

The City will call and send letters to approximately 100,000 households in 8,120 buildings to remind New Yorkers of the risks of lead-based paint and provide information on how to identify possible hazards, file peeling paint complaints to get an inspection, and get a child tested. HPD and DOHMH will conduct inspections in apartments with a child under 6 where the tenant requests one. If peeling lead-based paint is identified, the building owner will be required to correct the condition and may receive violations subject to civil penalties or other enforcement. If the owner fails to correct the condition, HPD will make the repairs and bill the owner.

In buildings where there is a history of multiple children with a blood lead level at 5mcg/dL or above, the City will also canvass all homes to identify where children under six live and attempt to inspect those apartments. This door-to-door outreach will be conducted in 403 buildings with approximately 8,900 homes by the City’s Public Engagement Unit. HPD will also audit lead-related documents for 208 multiple dwellings buildings in this targeted group and, where possible, issue violations and take legal action to ensure owners are complying with requirements related to annual notices, inspections and turnover of the unit. This auditing process is the same process that HPD will use for the Building Lead Index, a new proactive auditing initiative that launches this month as part of LeadFreeNYC, which will target 200 additional buildings each year for proactive audits. 

In New York City, public health data points to lead paint and the dust it creates as the primary source of childhood lead exposure. In 2004, the New York City Council enacted Local Law 1 (LL1), which grants the City expansive powers to hold landlords accountable for addressing lead hazards and which helped achieve dramatic declines in childhood lead exposure in New York City.

In July 2018, the City announced more stringent measures to reduce childhood lead exposure and became one of the first jurisdictions in the country to conduct environmental investigations for all children under 18 years old with a blood lead level of 5 mcg/dL or greater. 

In January, Mayor de Blasio announced the LeadFreeNYC plan. The approach is twofold: prevent exposure to lead hazards in the first place and respond quickly and comprehensively if a child has an elevated blood lead level. To protect New York City kids, the City will increase resources and support for children, parents, and health care providers to make sure every child under 3 is tested for lead exposure – and any child who has an elevated blood lead level gets the services they need. A new website, LeadFreeNYC, provides information and guidance for parents, tenants, landlords, and all New Yorkers. The website includes data and progress on the City’s lead prevention initiatives and includes educational materials to help New Yorkers understand the dangers of the lead and the tools available to anyone who may have been exposed to lead.

This week, HPD launched a city-wide LeadFreeNYC ad campaign to educate owners on their responsibilities to identify and safely fix lead-based paint hazards in their buildings. These increased outreach efforts further the City’s work under LeadFreeNYC, comprehensive plan to end childhood lead exposure. 

 Other LeadFreeNYC initiatives include nurse care coordination for every child with an EBLL, enhanced cross-referencing of medical records and birth data to increase blood testing rates for children, programs to help private homeowners abate lead hazards and replace lead service lines, and the creation of the Building Lead Index, a new proactive HPD program that will cross-reference housing violation data and exposure rates to target 200 high-risk buildings a year for audit.