MAYOR ADAMS TAKES ACTION TO REDUCE MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH INEQUITIES BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO DOULAS AND MIDWIVES

 

Doula and Midwifery Initiatives Part of City’s Comprehensive Plan to Address Disparities in Maternal Deaths, Life-Threatening Complications From Childbirth, and Infant Mortality

 

Citywide Expansion of Doula Program Will Offer Doulas to 500 Families in Next Three Month

  New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took steps to reduce maternal and infant health inequities in New York City and provide critical resources to new families — announcing the citywide expansion of the doula program, the expansion of a Midwifery Initiative, and the expansion of a maternal health care services program. The Citywide Doula Initiative will provide free access to doulas for birthing families and focus on 33 neighborhoods with the greatest social needs. The Midwifery Initiative will be expanded to all 38 public and private birthing facilities citywide and will allow the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), for the first time, to gather data on births and care with midwives; create partnerships with midwife organizations, private practices, and community members; and develop a report on midwives in New York City. Finally, the Maternity Hospital Quality Improvement Network (MHQIN) will be expanded across all 38 birthing facilities across the city in an effort to improve maternal care at local hospitals and birthing centers. 

 

“The root causes of racial disparities in maternal health are real, so it’s time we do right by every mother and every baby, no matter the color of their skin or the language they speak,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are announcing a multifaceted initiative to help reduce the inequities that have allowed children and mothers to die at the exact time when we should be welcoming a life. By expanding and investing in both doulas and midwives, we are taking the steps necessary to begin to address the disparities in maternal deaths, life-threatening complications from childbirth, and infant mortality.”

 

“Thank you to Mayor Adams for continuing to make maternal health a priority and to our practitioners in the field and partners at DOHMH,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Our colleagues at DOHMH work hand-in-hand with our doula and midwife partners to offer thoughtful care for every expectant person and family, providing support every step along away. These expanded initiatives will strengthen supports for expectant people, advance expertise at DOHMH, and take tangible steps towards tackling health disparities.”

 

“Systemic racism should not be a New Yorker’s first experience upon coming into the world,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The voices of midwives and doulas must be included in the work we are doing to lower the glaring inequities in complications from childbirth. I thank Mayor Adams for taking action to improve birth equity in New York City.”

 

All three initiatives are part of Mayor Adams’ mission to reduce health inequities in New York City, particularly amongst marginalized Black and Latino/a families and pregnant people. They build on DOHMH’s existing “By My Side Support Program” and are a key part of the “New Family Home Visits Program”— a new, comprehensive $30 million package of home-visiting services for first-time families.

 

Maternal and infant health inequities are rooted in generations of structural racism and disinvestment. In New York City, Black women are nine times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related cause than white women, and their rate of infant mortality is more than three times higher. For Puerto Ricans, the infant mortality rate is twice that of white New Yorkers.

 

Citywide Doula Initiative

The Citywide Doula Initiative will aim to train 50 doulas and reach 500 families by the end of June. Families who enroll in the program will receive doula support both at home and in the clinical setting, with three prenatal home visits, support during labor and delivery, and four postpartum visits. Clients who give birth at home will receive the same number of visits. The program will include screening and referrals for family needs and stressors, such as food insecurity. The model of care will be consistent across the city, and uniform data will be collected for a rigorous evaluation of the doula services provided through this initiative.

 

Doulas provide physical and emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth, which helps lower the risk of complications during childbirth for the parent and the infant. Studies show that doulas can reduce preterm births and low birthweights, which are the leading causes of infant mortality. Rates of cesarean birth and medical pain management also improve with doula support.

 

The Citywide Doula Initiative will focus services in three main categories:

 

• Providing equitable care — Doulas will be provided to eligible residents of the 33 neighborhoods identified by the Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE). Priority will be given to people who are income-eligible for Medicaid and/or are giving birth for the first time (or the first time in over 10 years), as well as those who have had a previous traumatic birth experience, have no other labor support, live in a shelter, are in foster care, or have a high-risk medical condition.
• Expanding the doula workforce — To increase capacity, DOHMH is aiming to train 50 community members as doulas by June 30 and provide additional opportunities for professional development. DOHMH will also help uncertified doulas become certified; about 70 uncertified doulas are expected to take advantage of this opportunity.
• Creating partnerships with hospitals — The initiative will strengthen DOHMH’s work with hospitals though the MHQIN, which creates doula-friendly hospital policies and practices and increases provider referrals to doula services. Staff will also collaborate with community-based, governmental, and health care partners to advocate for system-level change.

 

The initiative will integrate community-based doula organizations that serve clients in TRIE neighborhoods around the city — bringing additional funding to expand their services, build the capacity of their doula workforces, and partner with hospitals. Seven vendors have been chosen to partner in this work:

• Community Health Center of Richmond will provide services in Staten Island,
• Hope and Healing Family Center will provide services in central and eastern Brooklyn,
• The Mothership will provide services in Harlem and northern Manhattan,
• Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership will provide services in Harlem, northern Manhattan, and the southwest Bronx, and
• Ancient Song Doula Services, Caribbean Women’s Health Association, and the Mama Glow Foundation will provide services in the rest of the city.

Midwifery Initiative

The Midwifery Initiative builds on research about existing midwifery care models across pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Midwives are clinicians who receive formal education, training, and licensure to provide a full range of highly personalized maternal and primary health care to meet their clients’ unique physical, mental, emotional, and cultural needs. Studies have shown that midwives help lower rates of cesarean births and unnecessary interventions during childbirth, and pregnant people cared for by midwives are less likely to report disrespectful care. 

 

The Midwifery Initiative includes:

• Convening a steering committee of stakeholders and key informants to recommend ways to better understand the quantitative and qualitative data about pregnancy care and birth outcomes in both hospital and home-based settings.
• Partnering with midwives conducting research at New York University to develop an assessment tool to measure successful integration of midwifery care models into maternal health care settings.
• Identifying models for enhancing and expanding midwifery training opportunities, including cross-training between midwives and medical doctors.

 

Maternity Hospital Quality Improvement Network

The MHQIN is a clinical and community initiative that seeks to reduce disparities in preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. Key strategies focus on the drivers of racial and ethnic disparities in maternal outcomes. The expansion of the program will invite 23 new birthing hospitals and centers, reaching all 38 birthing facilities in New York City.

 

The MHQIN includes:

 

• Increased surveillance of severe maternal morbidity data to improve health outcomes.
• Trainings for staff in racial equity, implicit bias, and trauma-informed care.
• Partnerships with community-based organizations and doula services.

 

TAXPAYER NOTICE: Attorney General James Reminds Crypto Investors to Pay Taxes on Virtual Investments

 

Ahead of Tax Deadline, AG James Cautions Crypto Investors That

Failure to Pay Taxes Could Have Legal and Financial Consequences

AG James Encourages Whistleblowers to Come Forward With Information About Noncompliance

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a warning to virtual currency investors and their tax advisors to make sure that they accurately declare and pay taxes on their virtual investments. Deliberate or reckless failure to properly declare and pay taxes on cryptocurrency transactions may constitute civil or criminal violations of the tax law, as well as violations of tax provisions of the New York False Claims Act, which could result in steep financial liabilities. As the tax filing deadline approaches, Attorney General James encourages crypto investors to consult and follow guidance from the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to accurately file their taxes and avoid penalties.

“Crypto investors, just like working families and everyone else, must pay taxes,” said Attorney General James. “Cryptocurrencies may be new, but the law is clear: Investors must accurately report and pay taxes on their virtual investments. My office is committed to holding cryptocurrency tax cheats accountable. Paying taxes on crypto transactions is not optional, and investors who skirt the law can face serious consequences. I encourage all crypto investors to follow guidance from the IRS and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to make sure their filings are accurate. Don’t evade the law, pay your taxes.”

IRS and DTF Guidance on Cryptocurrency Taxability

Recently there has been a dramatic surge in the production, sale, and acquisition of “virtual” or “crypto” currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. Transactions involving the acquisition, sale or exchange of cryptocurrency have tax consequences which may trigger tax liability. As set forth in IRS Notice 2014-21 and related DTF guidance, convertible virtual or cryptocurrency is treated as property rather than a currency for U.S. federal tax purposes. Therefore, general tax principles applicable to property transactions apply to transactions using virtual currency. This means that virtual currency is taxed in the same way as any other assets, such as stocks and gold.

Additionally, the IRS notes that taxpayers who receive “virtual currency as payment for goods or services, must, in computing gross income, include the fair market value of virtual currency, measured in US dollars, as of the date that virtual currency was received.” An exchange of virtual currency for other property results in either a gain or loss that must be reported by taxpayers. For example, taxpayers must calculate and report any gain or loss when using cryptocurrency to purchase a luxury electric vehicle, a plane ticket, or even a cup of coffee.

Finally, retailers and purchasers spending or accepting cryptocurrency need to be aware that DTF guidance makes clear that sales tax is owed on transactions involving the use of convertible virtual currency to pay for taxable goods or services delivered in New York state.

Taxpayers should carefully review this guidance and other principles set out in the IRS and DTF guidance in determining tax due on their cryptocurrency transactions.

Consequences of Failure to Pay Taxes on Cryptocurrencies

The consequences of a taxpayer’s failure to properly report income derived from transactions involving cryptocurrency are potentially far-reaching and severe. Such failure may carry significant civil or criminal penalties and can, in certain instances, result in criminal prosecution. Further, a deliberate or reckless failure to comply with the federal and state reporting obligations involving cryptocurrency may also result in taxpayer liability under the New York False Claims Act, which carries with it triple damages, interest, and penalties.

New York False Claims Act liability may also extend to tax professionals advising clients about the taxability of cryptocurrency transactions. For example, advisers that knowingly or recklessly make or cause to be made a false statement material to a taxpayer’s obligation to pay tax may be liable under New York law.

Ensuring that taxpayers appropriately declare and pay taxes on cryptocurrency transactions is a priority for the attorney general. Attorney General James encourages whistleblowers to come forward with any information about noncompliance. 

Anyone with information relating to a taxpayer’s willful failure to report income or collect sales tax on transactions involving cryptocurrency are urged to report such failure to the Office of the Attorney General using the online whistleblower portal.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - MARCH 22, 2022

 7-Day Average Positivity is 1.78% - Lowest in Four Days

950 Hospitalizations - Under 1,000 for Five Consecutive Days

7 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"We are moving forward safely through this pandemic thanks to New Yorkers getting vaccinated," Governor Hochul said. "The booster improves your protection against new variants, and I'm calling on New Yorkers who haven't yet -- and are eligible -- to sign up and get boosted as soon as you can. The booster is a critical tool to continue our progress and keep both cases and hospitalizations down."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 63,513
• Total Positive - 1,497
• Percent Positive - 2.36%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.78%
• Patient Hospitalization - 950 (+49)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 129
• Patients in ICU - 162 (+3)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 71
• Total Discharges - 289,527 (+73)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 7
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 55,057

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 70,062

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 37,333,275
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 11,239
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 91,939
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 83.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 86.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 82.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 72.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 81.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 73.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 89.4%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 76.0%

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

BOROUGH	Saturday, March 19, 2022	Sunday, March 20, 2022	Monday, March 21, 2022
Bronx	0.83%	0.84%	0.66%
Kings	1.38%	1.40%	1.16%
New York	2.03%	2.11%	1.87%
Queens	1.17%	1.20%	1.04%
Richmond	1.11%	1.19%	1.07%

DEC AND ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN RESERVE PLAN FOR 2022 SEASON AFTER SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR FOR PILOT RESERVATION SYSTEM

 

System Registers 21,000 Users and 16,000 Reservations During 2021 Season Parking Reservations Required May 1 to Oct. 31

 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) today announced that the pilot parking reservation system launched last spring to promote safe access to trails in the Route 73 corridor will resume May 1, following a successful inaugural year. More than 21,000 users registered at www.hikeamr.org to make parking reservations that help protect public safety and improve visitors’ trip planning and preparation by ensuring guaranteed parking upon arrival.

 

From May 1 through Oct. 31 this year, reservations will again be required to access the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned, 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the High Peaks region. The Reserve has a longstanding conservation easement with DEC that allows public access for hiking. Additional hiking opportunities and parking lots can be found throughout the 2.6 million acres of public lands within the Adirondack Forest Preserve on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

“DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Reserve are gearing up to launch the second year of our parking reservation partnership using the valuable input shared by hikers, local leaders, and other stakeholders committed to making the Adirondacks safer and more accessible,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “Tens of thousands of hikers and visitors successfully used the system last year and we will continue to work with AMR and others to build upon the progress we’ve made to encourage the safe, sustainable use of our trails to benefit both the recreating public and our natural resources.”

 

“We are very pleased with the results of the first year of the reservation system which was able to meet and exceed the three primary goals of the pilot: (1) to improve the safety for all those who travel the Route 73 corridor, (2) to provide fair and equitable access to parking for all levels of the hiking community and (3) to preserve and protect both public and private lands for future generations,” said John Schuler, General Manager of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve. “The mission of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, as stated in our Conservation Easement, is to preserve and protect the forests, lakes, mountain streams, and wildlife on our lands, and we believe that our partnership with the DEC on the pilot parking reservation system is supporting our efforts to continue to carry out our mission. We are confident the second year will be even more successful.” 

 

In its first year, the pilot parking reservation system accepted registrations from 14,200 New Yorkers, 6,600 registrations from people residing out of state, and 138 people from other countries. One-hundred-and-thirteen Canadian users registered last year, a reflection of border crossing restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. This number is expected to increase as restrictions are lifted.  

 

Advanced parking reservations at AMR are available at no-cost and must be obtained for single-day or overnight use, getting dropped off or picked up in the AMR lot by a vehicle, or arriving by bicycle. Seventy reservations, including overnight reservations, are available per day. Walk-in users without a reservation are not permitted unless these users can provide a Greyhound or Trailways bus ticket from within the past 24 hours. Reservations are also required for access to the Noonmark and Round Mountain trailheads located on AMR property.  

 

Reservations can be made as far as two weeks in advance. New bookings for 2022 will open on April 17, and users will be able to make reservations 14 days out on a 24-hour rolling basis.

 

When compared to previous years, 2021’s reservation system resulted in visitor use at AMR more equally distributed throughout the week. This information is valuable in helping DEC and AMR determine if the pilot system is reducing the heavy use typically experienced on weekends or holidays, and if dispersing visitors will help both minimize natural resource impacts from crowded trails and provide visitors with a more natural experience. In addition to multi-agency efforts to reduce dangerous and illegal parking in the vicinity, the pilot reservation program also dramatically reduced traffic congestion and the number of pedestrians walking on or along Route 73, a public safety issue.

 

Since the program launched in April 2021, DEC and AMR made several updates to improve access and the user experience. AMR installed an automatic one-way gate to allow for late departures from the parking lot. AMR also implemented e-mail reservation reminders to help reduce the number of no-shows. Shortly after launch, the number of individuals permitted per reservation was increased to eight and the booking window was adjusted, allowing reservations to be made up to 12 hours in advance. AMR also moved the start time for the rolling two-week opening of future dates from midnight to noon.

 

DEC and AMR continue to work together to adaptively manage the pilot to improve public safety, ensure equitable access, and promote sustainable use of this popular hiking destination. Learn more about the Adirondack Mountain Reserve on DEC’s website. For a list of frequently asked questions and to register, visit www.hikeamr.org. Reservations will open April 17, 2022.

Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation Into Civilian Death in Rochester

 

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Janet Jordan, who died on March 14, 2022.

On the morning of March 14, 2022, Ms. Jordan was found dead in her residence on Wetmore Park in Rochester. OSI is conducting an investigation to determine whether her death, by gunshot, was caused by a member of the Rochester Police Department who was found dead later that day by self-inflicted gunshot. 

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.