HEALTH
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
Disrupting Racial and Ethnic Disparities for Older New Yorkers AARP, Asian American Federation, Hispanic Federation, NAACP, Urban League Unveil New Research, Urge Legislative & Policy Solutions to Level Playing Field
for delay” deals where brand name
lder New Yorkers of
fordability, and family caregiving
er alternatives, and expanding
color are more threat-
and utility costs, at a media lun-
the state’s Elderly Pharmaceuti-
ened by gentrification,
cheon at the Yale Club featuring
cal Insurance Coverage program
more likely to skip prescription
Assembly Members Yu-Line Niou
(EPIC), which subsidizes prescrip-
medications because of cost, more
and Robert Rodriguez of Manhat-
tion co-pays for older low-income
burdened by utility bills, and more
tan.
New Yorkers.
O
financially squeezed by the respon-
“Whether it’s housing, pre-
sibilities of family caregiving than
scription drugs, utilities or caring
older White New Yorkers.
drug makers pay generic makers to delay consumer access to cheap-
Governor Andrew Cuomo has Jo-Ann Yoo.
included key prescription drug cost
for a loved one, older New Yorkers
“The initial Disrupt Disparities
work is long past, and we stand
that older adults who are black or
proposals in his 2020 agenda, and
of color face longer odds when it
reports drove significant changes
proudly with AARP to support
of color face in health, economic
key legislation has been introduced
rupting Disparities 2.0, Solutions
comes to affordability and access,”
in state policies that will improve
New York’s 50+ people of color.”
security, and livability,” said As-
in Albany.
for New Yorkers Age 50+, the sec-
said AARP New York State Di-
the lives of New York’s Hispanic
“People of color 50 and older
ond phase of a multi-year initiative
rector Beth Finkel. “We’ve made
population,” said Hispanic Fed-
experience stark disparities across
by AARP New York, the Asian
significant
we
eration President & CEO Frankie
their health, homes and neighbor-
“The research conducted by
provide family caregivers some
American Federation, the Hispan-
launched ‘Disrupt Disparities’ in
Miranda. “Together with AARP,
hoods, particularly in New York’s
AARP and its partner organizations
financial relief by allowing them
ic Federation, the NAACP of New
2018, but ‘Disrupt Disparities 2.0’
we are excited to build on those
urban centers,” said New York Ur-
documents the tremendous barriers
to claim as much as half the total
York and the New York Urban
shows we need to do more to level
early successes through this new
ban League President Arva Rice.
facing our communities in afford-
they spend on caregiving. AARP is
League, examines disparities im-
the playing field so all New York-
research and policy ideas.”
“We are proud of what this ini-
ing basic needs like prescription
also pushing for a $13.5 million in-
pacting New Yorkers of color 50+
ers have equal opportunities.”
“As the heroes of the Civ-
tiative has already accomplished,
drugs, housing, and utilities,” said
crease this year in state funding for
il Rights Movement showed us,
and look forward to implementing
Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou.
home-delivered meals, which pro-
ings is the dearth of data about the
progress
sometimes
more policy changes to close the
AARP is recommending a
vide support and respite for family
AARP and its partner groups
Asian American community on
quickly and dramatically, but more
gaps and ensure equality for all,
comprehensive state package that
released Disrupt Disparities 2.0,
key topics like housing, utilities
often through tough, unglamor-
regardless of race or ethnicity.”
includes safe importation of low-
a conglomeration of research into
and caregiving,” said Asian Amer-
ous, incremental policy work,”
“While some progress has
er-cost drugs, a crackdown on
AARPNY and Facebook: AARP
gentrification, prescription drug af-
ican Federation Executive Director
said NAACP New York President
been made, we have much work
price gouging, exposure of “pay
New York
security and livability.
progress
since
“Most striking among the find-
comes
–
“An Apple a Day...” Harlem Community Newspapers | February 13. 2020
to do to break the equity barriers
That’s the takeaway from Dis-
in the areas of health, economic
22
Hazel Dukes. “The time to get to
Talk to your doctor about preventive services covered by Medicare
sembly Member Robert Rodriguez of East Harlem.
AARP is urging the state to enact a caregiver tax credit to
caregivers. Follow us on Twitter:
Services covered at 100%: • Annual wellness visit • Flu and pneumonia shots • Hepatitis C screening • Bone mass measurement • Colon cancer screening • Breast cancer mammogram screening • Counseling to stop smoking • ...and much more For free and impartial Medicare guidance, contact the Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) at nyc.gov/aging or by calling 311
Para información en Español, llame al 311
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90SAPG0033, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201.
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