Velázquez Announces Funding for HIV Patients’ Dental Care
Congress member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Queens) announced federal grant funding to expand dental care for patients living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) yesterday.
These grants, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) were awarded to two local Brooklyn health centers, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.
The funding stems from an HHS initiative called the Dental Reimbursement Program (DRP). Started in 1994, DRP offers dental or dental hygiene education services to HIV positive patients. Founded with the goal of improving health outcomes for HIV patients in low-income and traditionally underserved communities, the grant exists to reimburse dental care costs.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull serves residents of North Brooklyn, including the neighborhoods of Bushwick and Williamsburg and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center is a teaching hospital that serves North Brooklyn and Western Queens. Woodhull and Wyckoff will be receiving $86,992 and $18,749 in federal grant funding from HHS, respectively.
“A patient’s access to quality health care should never be determined by financial status. I am proud that these grants will help further the tireless work of the doctors, nurses and staff who serve New Yorkers living with HIV. At a time of devastating cuts to health care services for many of our most vulnerable, it is imperative that grants like the Dental Reimbursement Program continue to support local hospitals. We must stand firm to protect community health centers and facilities for all New Yorkers,” said Velazquez.
Harris Denounces Hate And Violence In Charlottesville
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) denounced the violence and hate that broke out over the weekend in Charlottesville.
On Saturday a so-called “Unite The Right” rally in support of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, that included white nationalists and white supremacists clashed with a counter protestor group that included members of the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLMM) in an outbreak of violence. The violence included a 20-year-old man killing 32-year-old, Heather D. Heyer, after running his car through a group of counter protesters.
“The recent events in Charlottesville are a grim reminder of the hate that still exists in this country. But the people who stood against the ignorance and divisiveness of those hateful groups also remind us of the good that exists in our country. Our Brooklyn community is a strong reminder of the benefits of diversity, and how much stronger we are as a people when we come together,” said Harris.
Harris continued, “To the family of Heather Heyer, who was tragically killed, we offer our prayers and our condolences. We must remember her name, not that of her killer. We must remember what she, as well as all those who were injured in the cowardly attack, gave in the fight against bigotry and follow in her example of standing up for what is right.”
Williams Celebrates Passage of Anti-Tenant Harassment Legislation
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) applauded the passage of two packages of bills that seek to curb tenant harassment.
Last Wednesday, the city council passed tenant harassment packages as part of bigger tenant safety legislations. The first package, Stand for Tenant Safety (STS), affords tenants better protections from potentially harmful construction projects that are being used to push residents out of their homes. The second set of bills address remedies for tenant harassment.
As part of the packages, Willliams bill, Intro. 1556, was passed. Intro. 1556 would increase the civil penalties for violations of the administrative code for tenant harassment.
“My bill, Intro 1556 sends a message to unscrupulous landlords that the City is serious about protecting tenants and their rights. As the pace of construction continues to increase and creates opportunities for unscrupulous owners to take advantage and harass New Yorkers we must also change how we thwart handle these situations to thwart their bad practices,” said Williams.
Hamilton To Host Back To School Supply Giveaway
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) will host a back-to-school giveaway event this weekend.
The event will kickoff the start of the school season with games, music, food, art, school supply giveaways and resource booths. The event is a partnership between Hamilton and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and the Save Our Streets (SOS) Brooklyn organization.
The event will also feature a backpack giveaway on a first-come-first-serve basis to families with children present.