Albany, NY – Today, Members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus hosted a new episode of “Caucus Corner'' for the 2024 legislative session. Caucus Corner is an audio series initiated by members to discuss and analyze major Caucus priorities from its annual People’s Budget with policy experts and community-based organizations from across the state. Additionally, Caucus members are able to increase support for various initiatives and campaigns.

With Caucus Corner, members have the opportunity to talk directly to New Yorkers on the issues that matter most to them. This series creates a forum for media, government officials, and constituents to gather and explore the various affairs before the state. This week, the members discussed the Hospital Closure Moratorium.

Listen to the program here on Spotify or on Youtube.

This bill aims to suspend the closure of hospitals until the Department of Health completes its analysis and report on how closures and downsizing is negatively impacting a resident’s access to healthcare throughout New York. By avoiding the closure of these vital facilities, emergency services, intensive care services, urgent care services and pediatric services will guarantee that some of the most vulnerable residents living in the state will have access to the resources they need to stay healthy.

“Without doing a statewide study that actually gives us a higher level view to inform us of how we are operating on a local level, we should not be moving to close any hospitals, especially when we are still in a health crisis,” said Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “That’s why with the Moratorium Act, we are saying we cannot keep moving towards closures without the necessary data or transparency.”

“This disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable communities of our state. Whether it’s upstate or downstate, these are our communities that we represent.” said the Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, Michaelle Solages. 

“One of the things that we notice, with respect to our hospitals, is that the greatest impact will be on communities of color and neighborhoods with the highest concentrations of poverty.” said Assemblywoman Latrice Walker. “The failure to save these hospitals only exacerbate healthcare disparities that already exist in these neighborhoods… So let’s roll up our sleeves, shout it to the mountain tops, march in the streets if we have to, call on your senators, call on your assembly members, and call on your governor’s office.”