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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: SCHEDULE SET
FOR "PEOPLE FIRST" FORUMS State Agencies
Seek to Improve Coordination of Health Services Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that
Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., of the Department of Health
(DOH), Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo of the Office of
Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), Commissioner
Michael F. Hogan, Ph.D., of the Office of Mental Health (OMH), and
Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter of the Office of Mental Retardation
and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) – will be conducting a series
of Coordinated Care Listening Forums. The Governor has directed these commissioners to
travel the state, listen to the health care needs of New Yorkers,
and provide recommendations on how to improve and coordinate support
for people who have needs across the four
systems. “For far too long in this state, individuals with
multiple needs have had to navigate through a complex myriad of
state and local bureaucracies before they even begin to receive the
care that they need, which is why a patient-centered system here in
The “People First” Coordinated Care Listening Forums
are a starting point for new collaborative initiatives aimed at
better serving In each different area, the commissioners will be
seeking feedback from local communities on access to resources,
quality of care, interagency collaboration and coordination of
care. DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines said, “Access to
appropriate, high-quality care is our goal for all New Yorkers in
need. Often the people using these services are in the best position
to advise us on the changes they need. I look forward to hearing
from the people in their communities to spark the innovative
solutions we seek.” OASAS Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo said,
“Governor Spitzer has asked that my colleagues and I go directly to
the residents of this great state and listen to their ideas on ways
our health systems can better work together to move his vision of
One New York forward. As commissioners, we are accountable for the
services our agencies provide. We welcome the input from those who
rely on our services, as it will help us improve the coordination of
care for New Yorkers.” OMH
Commissioner Michael F. Hogan said: “Governor Spitzer’s vision is
for a health system that is person-centered, not focused on the
needs of institutions. We face that challenge within each of the
service systems represented here, and additionally we must break
down the ‘silos’ that create barriers to integrated care. We know
that mental health is critical to overall health, but also that
mental health recovery requires overall
wellness.” OMRDD
Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter said, “New Yorkers who have multiple
disabilities including developmental disabilities must have access
to high quality care that assures their various and continuing needs
are met. I am committed to working together with my sister agencies
toward a more seamless service system that puts the person receiving
services first and provides each individual with opportunities and
choices for and about their own care. What better way to kick-start
this effort than to go right to the people who receive or require
these services? I look forward to hearing from our residents across
the state on how we can better meet their
needs.” The
Coordinated Care Listening Forums will be held on the following
dates in the following cities: Date
Location If
you are unable to attend, but would like to provide feedback on how
to enhance coordinated care in New York State, please email your
thoughts to one or more of the following email
addresses: OMH: transformation@omh.state.ny.us DOH: dohweb@health.state.ny.us
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