“Reports that the State Department of Health is planning to dramatically cut health care services in one of the hardest hit areas of New York City are deeply disturbing. 1199SEIU members at St. John’s Episcopal in Far Rockaway have dedicated themselves selflessly throughout the pandemic to meet the many needs of the peninsula’s residents and our Union has fought to make sure that local healthcare services are preserved and expanded. This proposal must be immediately withdrawn and the State Department of Health must meaningfully engage with stakeholders to create a path forward.”

Veronica Turner-Biggs, Senior Executive Vice President for Downstate Health Systems