July 18, 2025 • 26 mins
The newly-confirmed New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the goals for the office and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We dive into the push from lawmakers and healthcare advocates for legislation meant to improve workforce protections for nurses across the state. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed his independent campaign for New York City mayor in the general election. The moves comes about one month after Cuomo lost the democratic primary to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.
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(00:01):
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
(00:23):
THIS MONTH MARKS THE 35TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
THIS LAW IS A FEDERAL CIVIL
RIGHTS POLICY THAT WAS
IMPLEMENTED IN 1990 AND IS MEANT
TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES FROM BEING
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.
IN NEW YORK, THE STATE OFFICE
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
(00:43):
DISABILITIES COMMEMORATED THE
ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK AND IS
VOWING TO UPHOLD THE TENETS OF
THE FEDERAL POLICY IN THE YEARS
TO COME.
THE OFFICE IS ALSO SOUNDING THE
ALARM ON HOW FEDERAL CUTS TO
MEDICIAID COULD ALSO IMPACT NEW
YORKERS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE
PROGRAM AND BALANCING THE
(01:04):
CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH
FINDING SUITABLE CARE FOR
DISBILITIES.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SAT
DOWN WITH THE NEWLY APPOINTED
COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT,
WILLOW BAER, TO DISCUSS THE
IMPACT OF THE POLICY AND HER
PLANS FOR THE OFFICE.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
(01:25):
US HERE TODAY, COMMISSIONER.
>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR
INTEREST AND FOR THE INVITATION.
>> YEAH. SO AS A NEWLY CONFIRMED
COMMISSIONER FOR THE OFFICE FOR
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES IN THE STATE, WHAT
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR
JOURNEY TO BECOMING COMMISSIONER
AND YOUR PLAN FOR THE OFFICE?
>> MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING
COMMISSIONER WAS VERY
UNEXPECTED.
I AM A RECOVERING ATTORNEY, SO
(01:46):
I'M AN ATTORNEY BY TRADE.
I SERVED AS COUNCIL TO THE
AGENCY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AS
WELL AS ASSISTANT COUNCIL TO
GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL AFTER TWO
DIFFERENT TERMS.
CAME BACK TO THE AGENCY INTO
OPERATIONAL ROLE ABOUT A YEAR
AND A HALF AGO, AND THE
THEN-COMMISSIONER DECIDED THAT
SHE WAS GOING TO SORT OF RETIRE,
(02:07):
MOVE ON, FOCUS ON HER HOME LIFE
AND FAMILY, AND I HAD THE
UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY TO STEP
UP INTO THIS ROLE AND IT HAS
JUST BEEN THE HONOR OF A
LIFETIME.
IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE SO FAR.
>> YEAH. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR
THE OFFICE?
>> I WANT NEW YORK STATE TO
REMAIN SORT OF A LEADER IN THE
DISABILITY SERVICES WORLD.
(02:28):
I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT
WE'VE DONE, BUT AS A SYSTEM, WE
ARE AT LIKE A MIDLIFE CRISIS.
WE'RE RELATIVELY NEW SYSTEM
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN TERMS
OF HAVING PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES REALLY COMMUNITY
INTEGRATED, GETTING JOBS, LIVING
THEIR BEST LIFE IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND I AM REALLY
EXCITED TO MOVE INTO THE FUTURE,
(02:49):
INTO THE NEXT WAVE OF WHAT THIS
SERVICE SYSTEM CAN LOOK LIKE TO
MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE REALLY
LIVING THE SAME LIFE THAT ANYONE
ELSE HAS ACCESS TO.
I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE AT THE
SORT OF HELM AT THE NEXT WAVE OF
THAT TRANSFORMATION.
>> AND HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR
TENURE AS COMMISSIONER WILL BE
DIFFERENT OR UNIQUE TO THE
(03:09):
TENURES OF THOSE BEFORE YOU?
>> WELL, THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION.
I THINK EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
EVERYONE BRINGS A LITTLE
SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I REALLY COME TO THE SYSTEM FROM
THE ROLE OF AN ADVOCATE AND AS A
FAMILY MEMBER.
SO I'M THE FAMILY MEMBER OF
SOMEONE WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY SERVED IN THE SYSTEM.
SO MY FOCUS RIGHT OUT OF THE
GATE WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
(03:29):
HAD FAMILY STAKEHOLDERS AND
SELF-ADVOCATES AT THE TABLE TO
HELP US DEVELOP POLICIES AND TO
REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE OF THE SERVICE
SYSTEM, AND SO I THINK THAT SORT
OF VISION AS AN ADVOCATE IS WHAT
I BUILD INTO EVERYTHING I DO AND
HOPE TO BE SORT OF THE LASTING
LEGACY OF MY LEADERSHIP.
(03:50):
>> AND JULY MARKS THE 35TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
WHAT DOES THAT MILESTONE MEAN TO
YOU AND YOUR OFFICE?
>> IT IS. THANK YOU FOR
HIGHLIGHTING IT.
IT MEANS EVERYTHING.
I WAS IN AUSTRIA NOT THAT LONG
AGO AT A CONFERENCE FILLED WITH
PEOPLE THAT WERE DISABILITY
ADVOCATES FROM ALL DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES ALL AROUND THE WORLD,
AND THE UNITED STATES REALLY IS
(04:11):
STILL THE NORTH STAR IN TERMS OF
DISABILITY ACCESS AND IT'S
BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THE ADA,
WHICH REALLY WE ONLY HAVE HERE.
MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T EVEN
HAVE AN ADA YET.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE
CELEBRATING THAT EVENT ON THE
PLAZA AND TO BE FOCUSING ON WHAT
WE HAVE DONE IN THE STATE OVER
THE LAST 35 YEARS.
(04:32):
IT IS EVERYTHING TO THE
DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMUNITY AND
TO OUR AGENCY, IN PARTICULAR.
WE WANT PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO
HAVE ACCESS TO ANYTHING YOU OR I
WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO, AND THE
ADA IS REALLY AT THE HEART OF
EVERYTHING.
>> YEAH. AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU
ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE
WILLOWBROOK STATE SCHOOL.
NOW WE KNOW THIS WAS A
STATE-OWNED FACILITY THAT WOULD
(04:54):
HOUSE CHILDREN WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
IT WAS CLOSED DOWN AFTER SEVERAL
REPORTS OF JUST NEGLECT AND
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE
KIDS IN THE SCHOOL.
WHAT DOES THE LEGACY OF
WILLOWBROOK MEAN TO YOU?
HOW DOES THAT SHAPE THE WAY THAT
YOU'RE GOING TO APPROACH
LEADERSHIP?
>> THE LEGACY OF WILLOWBROOK IS
(05:15):
HARD FOR NEW YORK BECAUSE IT
IMMEDIATELY CONJURES THIS IMAGE
FOR ANYONE-- YOU HEAR THE WORDS
WILLOWBROOK, YOU REMEMBER THE
DOCUMENTARY.
YOU REMEMBER THOSE IMAGES AND
THOSE SOUNDS AND IT WAS AWFUL.
BUT THE CLOSING OF WILLOWBROOK
REALLY SPARKED AN INTERNATIONAL
MOVEMENT, AND THAT STARTED HERE
IN NEW YORK, RIGHT, IN TERMS OF
DEINSTITUTIONALIZING PEOPLE.
(05:36):
MOVING THEM OUT OF THOSE
HORRIBLE CONDITIONS, MOVING
PEOPLE OUT INTO COMMUNITY
RESIDENCES, TAKING PEOPLE OUT TO
VOLUNTEER, RIGHT, AND SO THAT
MARKED REALLY THE START OF
EVERYTHING THAT MY AGENCY DOES
AND IS SUCH A RICH HISTORY BUT
SUCH A DARK HISTORY, RIGHT.
THIS YEAR, AND THIS YEAR'S AN
(05:57):
ACTIVE BUDGET, ACTUALLY HAVE AN
INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT FROM THE
GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO
BUILD A WILLOWBROOK CENTER FOR
LEARNING ON STATEN ISLAND WHERE
WE'RE RENOVATING THE LAST
BUILDING LEFT ON THAT STATE
CAMPUS THAT NEEDS-- THAT
RENOVATION IS STILL SORT OF
STUCK IN TIME.
IT LOOKS THE SAME AS IT DID
THEN.
IT'S A TERRIBLE REMINDER WHEN
(06:17):
PEOPLE DRIVE PAST IT.
SO WE HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE
INVESTMENT TO UPDATE THE ENTIRE
CAMPUS TO REALLY MAKE SOME
MODERNIZATIONS AND THAT
BUILDING, IN PARTICULAR, TO
BUILD A WILLOWBROOK CENTER FOR
LEARNING WHERE WE CAN BRING
ARTIFACTS AND TIMELINES AND
REALLY HONOR THAT HISTORY IN A
POSITIVE WAY AND REALLY
HIGHLIGHT HOW MUCH GROWTH HAS
HAPPENED SINCE THEN.
>> AND IF SOMEONE WANTED TO
(06:38):
REPORT NEGLECT FOR A PERSON WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
TODAY, IS THAT SOMETHING THEY
COULD DO WITH YOUR OFFICE, OR
WOULD IT BE ANOTHER STATE AGENCY
LIKE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S
OFFICE?
>> SO THE NEW YORK STATE JUSTICE
CENTER WAS LAUNCHED IN 2013 AND
ALL ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE,
NEGLECT, NOT JUST FOR MY SYSTEM,
BUT FOR OTHER SYSTEMS THAT SERVE
(06:58):
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN NEW
YORK, THE NEW YORK STATE JUSTICE
CENTER HOUSES SORT OF THAT
REPORTING PROCESS.
REPORTS CAN BE MADE TO US
DIRECTLY.
WE MAKE REPORTS TO THE JUSTICE
CENTER WHEN WE NEED TO, BUT THEY
SORT OF MAINTAIN THAT PROCESS TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS
REPORTED AND REVIEWED FROM A
NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY.
>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORK
(07:19):
OF YOUR OFFICE, IS THERE ANY
OVERLAP WITH THE COUNCIL FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNCIL
REALLY OVERSEE THE GRANT
PROCESS.
THEY HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING.
THEY'RE IN CHARGE OF THE FEDERAL
FUNDING COMPONENT OF THE
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICE
SYSTEM, AND THEY REVIEW GRANTS
(07:40):
AND INITIATIVES AND SO WE REALLY
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM.
THEY ARE THEIR OWN AGENCY.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DIRECTOR.
SHE DOES INCREDIBLE WORK AND
BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO
THIS FIELD, BUT THEY ARE
INCREDIBLE PARTNERS IN TERMS OF
SHARING THEIR RESEARCH, SHARING
THEIR RESOURCES.
WE TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT WHAT
MY PRIORITIES ARE AND HOW THEY
CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE AND VICE
VERSA.
SO THEY'RE AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER
(08:01):
HERE IN NEW YORK.
>> AND YOU MENTIONED FEDERAL
FUNDING AND FEDERAL POLICY.
SO I WANTED TO GET INTO
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BIG,
BEAUTIFUL BILL.
DO YOU SEE THAT FEDERAL POLICY
HAVING ANY IMPACT ON THE WORK
THAT YOU'RE DOING?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY.
THERE'S NO WAY IT COULDN'T.
SO WE KNOW THAT THE IMPACT OF
THAT BILL WILL LOOK LIKE ALMOST
(08:22):
$14 BILLION IN MEDICAID CUTS TO
NEW YORK STATE.
SO THAT IS LARGELY IN HEALTH AND
HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, BUT YOU CAN'T
CUT $14 BILLION OF HEALTH CARE
IN NEW YORK STATE AND NOT IMPACT
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO
ALSO RELY ON MEDICAID FOR THOSE
HEALTH SERVICES.
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, IN PARTICULAR,
ALREADY HAVE A VERY HARD TIME
FINDING MEDICAL PROVIDERS,
(08:42):
DENTAL PROVIDERS, APPOINTMENT
TIMES, OFFICES THAT ARE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, FOR
EXAMPLE.
OUR POPULATION HAS A HARD TIME
ACCESSING HEALTH CARE.
THIS WILL MAKE IT A HUNDRED
TIMES HARDER FOR THEM.
WE RELY ON $7 BILLION OF
MEDICAID, JUST TO SERVE PEOPLE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
IN NEW YORK ALONE.
SO WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT $14
(09:04):
BILLION OVERALL BEING CUT OUT OF
THE MEDICAID BUDGET, IT WILL
ABSOLUTELY IMPACT EVERYONE THAT
WE WORK TO SERVE, AS WELL AS ALL
OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK REALLY
HARD TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE
SYSTEM WHO ARE OVERALL A LOW
INCOME WORKFORCE, RIGHT, SO IT
WILL ABSOLUTELY HAVE DEVASTATING
IMPACTS ACROSS THE STATE.
(09:25):
>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO STATE
FUNDING, DO YOU THINK THE STATE
IS GIVING YOU ENOUGH IN
FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT
THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING?
>> SO UNDER THIS GOVERNOR, WE
HAVE HAD INCREDIBLE INVESTMENTS
OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S INVESTED $4
BILLION IN NEW FUNDING JUST TO
OUR SERVICE SYSTEM IN THE LAST
FOUR YEARS BY WAY OF COST OF
(09:47):
LIVING ADJUSTMENTS AND WORKFORCE
BONUSES AND THE $850 MILLION
INVESTMENT WE MADE RECENTLY TO
OUR PROVIDER, OUR NONPROFIT
PROVIDER SYSTEM.
SO WE HAVE BEEN DOING INCREDIBLY
WELL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IN MY
SYSTEM REALLY CATCHING UP TO THE
COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND
MAKING REALLY INTENTIONAL
INVESTMENTS IN PLACES WHERE
(10:08):
HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN
UNDERINVESTED.
THAT BEING SAID, WITH A $14
BILLION CUT TO MEDICAID COMING
UP, YOU KNOW, THE NEW YORK
STATE, NO MATTER HOW GOOD A
FINANCIAL STATE WE'RE IN, IS
NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE
UP THAT LOSS OF FUNDING.
>> AND LASTLY, WHAT ARE SOME OF
YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS FOR THE
OFFICE?
HOW ARE YOU HOPING THAT THE
(10:29):
STATE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES IN THE YEARS TO
COME?
>> I THINK WE'RE REALLY ON A
GREAT TRACK.
WE HAVE A REALLY ROBUST
STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE'VE BEEN
WORKING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
IT REALLY SET OUT SHORT-TERM AND
LONG-TERM GOALS FOR THE AGENCY.
YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, YOU I'VE
BEEN REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT
INVOLVING SELF-ADVOCATES AND
(10:49):
FAMILY ADVOCATES AND DEVELOPING
BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR
NON-PROFIT PROVIDER TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY FEEL VERY SUPPORTED
AND THE DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF
THAT WORK REALLY HARD EVERY DAY
ACROSS THE STATE TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE FEEL SUPPORTED AND HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO DO THE JOB THEY
NEED TO DO.
SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO JUST
CONTINUE THAT WORK DRIVING
FORWARD OUR STRATEGIC PLAN,
(11:10):
MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE WHAT
THEY NEED TO REALLY LIVE
INTEGRATED LIVES AND TO INCREASE
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
THAT'S AN AREA IN NEW YORK STATE
WHERE WE HISTORICALLY HAVE NOT
DONE A GREAT JOB MAKING SURE
THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
HAVE ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL
EMPLOYMENT.
SO WE'RE VERY FOCUSED ON DRIVING
THAT FORWARD THIS YEAR AS WELL.
>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S
(11:31):
ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
TODAY, COMMISSIONER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> OF COURSE.
AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH WILLOW
BAER, COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW
YORK STATE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
AND FOR MORE ON OUR CONVERSATION
WITH THE COMMISSIONER, YOU CAN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
(11:52):
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT
TOPIC.
IN NEW YORK, STATE LAWMAKERS AND
HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN
PUSHING TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE
CONDITIONS FOR NURSES ACROSS THE
STATE.
THEY SAY THAT THE STATE SHOULD
BE DOING MORE TO ESTABLISH
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
(12:12):
PROGRAMS AND ADDRESS INCIDENT
REPORTING ISSUES IN HOSPITALS.
THE TWO BILLS THAT WOULD ADDRESS
THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PASSED IN
THE LEGISLATURE, BUT NEED TO BE
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BEFORE
THEY CAN BE ENACTED.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, OUR ELISE
KLINE DOVE INTO THE IMPACT OF
THOSE BILLS.
(12:32):
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AT A TIME WHEN MORE THAN 81%
OF NURSES NATIONALLY EXPERIENCE
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AT WORK, STATE
LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO REDUCE
INCIDENTS IN NEW YORK.
IN THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE
SESSION IN ALBANY, STATE
LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL TO
REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH A
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
PROGRAM.
IF THE LAW IS ENACTED, THE
(12:53):
PROGRAM WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS
TO DEVELOP A WORKPLACE SAFETY
AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND A
SAFETY AND SECURITY PLAN.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER CATALINA CRUZ, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENT PARTS OF
QUEENS AND LEAD SPONSOR OF THE
BILL, SAYS THE GOAL OF THE BILL
IS TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE
HIGH PERCENTAGE OF NURSES AND
HEALTH CARE WORKERS HARMED ON
THE JOB.
>>
>> THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN GO AND
(13:14):
TRY TO SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE AND
INSTEAD YOU'RE GOING TO END UP
ATTACKED, IT'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT I THINK ANY OF THE NURSES
OR DOCTORS ARE WANTING OR
EXPECTING AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE
PART OF THE EVERYDAY WORK THAT
THEY ARE DOING.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE IMPACTING IT POSITIVELY.
>> TONIA BAZEL, A REGISTERED
NURSE AT ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER
(13:34):
SAYS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IS A BIG
CONTRIBUTOR TO NURSES LEAVING
THE JOB ALTOGETHER.
>> IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
MAKES US RETHINK THE DECISION
FOR BECOMING A BEDSIDE NURSE.
>> ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM THE
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE,'S
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 17% OF
NURSES LEAVE THEIR JOBS EVERY
YEAR DUE TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.
(13:55):
>> IT'S BEEN THE GAMUT.
I'VE BEEN KICKED, PUNCHED,
SCRATCHED, HAD FECES THROWN AT
ME, THREATENED FOR MY LIFE.
>> BAZEL HAS BEEN A NURSE FOR
NEARLY 30 YEARS.
SHE SAYS SHE HAS CONSIDERED
LEAVING BECAUSE OF WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE.
WHAT STOPPED HER, THE PURPOSE TO
CARE FOR HER PATIENTS.
(14:15):
>> NURSING IS CHALLENGING IN
MANY, MANY WAYS.
ALSO REWARDING IN MANY, MANY
WAYS.
>> AND BAZEL ISN'T ALONE.
NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS
OFTEN EXPERIENCE THIS KIND OF
VIOLENCE REGULARLY.
SOME HAVE EVEN LOST TEETH AND
THEIR MEMORY AS A RESULT OF
ATTACKS.
>> JULIETTE NAPLES, A REGISTERED
NURSE IN BUFFALO, SAYS DEALING
WITH WORKPLACE VIOLENCE MAKES
THE JOB SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
(14:35):
>> JUST WITHIN MY UNIT, WE HAVE
HAD PARENTS THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW,
BEEN VERBALLY ABUSIVE TO THE
POINT WHERE THEY'VE, YOU KNOW,
CHARGED OR WALKED TOWARD A
PHYSICIAN AND/OR A NURSE.
WE-- WE HAVE A GREAT SECURITY
TEAM THAT RESPONDS FAIRLY
QUICKLY, BUT WE NEED TO
(14:56):
IMPLEMENT MORE-- MORE SAFETY
MEASURES.
>> BAZEL STRESSES THAT THE
CURRENT SYSTEM IN HOSPITALS FOR
REPORTING INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE
IS NOT WORKING.
SHE SAYS NURSES COMPLETE WHAT'S
CALLED A S.I, OR AN INTERNAL
DOCUMENT, RELATED TO PATIENT
CARE AND SAFETY, BUT SHE SAYS
THEY DON'T EVER KNOW THE OUTCOME
AFTER.
>> NO ONE GIVES US FEEDBACK AS
TO WHAT'S BEING DONE, WHAT WE'LL
(15:17):
CHANGE, WHAT WE'LL DO
DIFFERENTLY.
WE DON'T SEE OR HEAR ANY OF THAT
AND BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING
AS A NURSE TO HOLD MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THIS
STUFF, WE'RE JUST-- WE JUST LIVE
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REPEATEDLY.
>> BAZEL SAYS THIS BILL, IF
SIGNED INTO LAW, WILL HELP
(15:37):
ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF
ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> AND WITH THESE LAWS, IT WILL
HAVE LIKE A REGULATORY PLACE
TO-- TO PRESENT THESE PROBLEMS
AND THEY'LL MAKE US COME UP WITH
PLANS THAT WILL-- TO HELP US
ALLEVIATE OR YOU KNOW, REDUCE
THESE PROBLEMS.
>> NAPLES SAYS NURSES AND HEALTH
CARE WORKERS SEE PEOPLE IN THEIR
(15:58):
MOST VULNERABLE TIMES AND
CONSEQUENTIALLY, THEY CAN LEAD
TO HIGH EMOTIONS AND VIOLENT
BEHAVIOR.
>> IT'S A-- IT'S A DIFFICULT
TIME.
USUALLY AT THEIR SICKEST TIME SO
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE
HAVE LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS
PROTECTING OUR HEALTH CARE
WORKERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS ONE OF THE
(16:21):
HIGHEST JOBS THAT THERE IS
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.
>> THE BILL PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS
NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY THIS YEAR
AFTER FAILING IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER CRUZ SAYS THIS
YEAR THE BILL HAD MORE SUPPORT
FROM HEALTH CARE GROUPS LIKE THE
EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTORS
ASSOCIATION, 1199 AND THE NEW
YORK NURSES ASSOCIATION.
(16:42):
>> HAVING THEM COME TO US AND
SAY WE NEED THIS AND WE'RE GOING
TO HELP YOU PASS THIS WAS A BIG
TIPPING POINT TO ENSURING THAT
THE LEGISLATION PASSED.
>> HELEN SCHUAB, 1199'S
POLITICAL DIRECTOR, SAYS THE
BILL WAS STRONGER THIS YEAR THAN
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, INCLUDING
MORE PROVISIONS ALLOWING
FRONTLINE WORKERS TO BE INVOLVED
IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SAFETY
PLANS.
(17:02):
>> SO THAT WAS SOMETHING WE CAME
TO THE TABLE AND SAID, LOOK, IF
YOU'RE GONNA DO THIS, YOU HAVE
TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
FACING THIS EVERY DAY AND MAKE
SURE THEY'RE CONSULTED AND BEING
ABLE TO ANALYZE WHAT THE
PROBLEMS ARE, WHAT THE
VULNERABILITIES ARE AND THEN HOW
TO RESPOND TO IT.
SO I THINK IT WAS REALLY EVERY
COMING TOGETHER.
>> SCHAUB SAYS THE PLANS SHOULD
BE MORE THAN JUST PAPERWORK.
>> IT IS REALLY ABOUT HOW DO YOU
(17:23):
MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE
ATTENTION AND EFFORT TO REALLY
ANALYZING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO
LOOKING AT INCIDENT REPORTS AND
THE FREQUENCY OF INCIDENTS AND
WHEN THEY'RE HAPPENING, ON WHAT
SHIFTS, ON WHAT UNITS, AND THEN
USING THAT CONCRETE INFORMATION,
AS WELL AS THE DIRECT FEEDBACK
FROM WORKERS WHO ARE IN THE LINE
OF FIRE.
>> MANY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE
(17:43):
HOPEFUL THE BILL WILL BE SIGNED
INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KATHIE
HOCHUL.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN MCDONALD, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE CAPITAL REGION, SAYS THIS
BILL IS IMPORTANT AND WILL
ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THE
ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS AND
WORKERS IN HOSPITALS.
>> THE IDEA TO HAVE A PROCESS IN
PLACE WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS
DEVELOPING A PLAN AND MORE
(18:04):
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS
INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS AND
HAVING FOLLOW-UP, IT THINK IT
ONLY SERVES THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
WITHIN THAT HOSPITAL OR HEALTH
CARE FACILITY FOR THE BETTER.
>> THE BILL ALSO HAS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.
STATE SENATOR ROB ROLISON, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
ORANGE COUNTY AND A COSPONSOR OF
THE BILL, SAYS THE BILL IS JUST
(18:25):
COMMON SENSE.
>> WE CERTAINLY, AS A STATE,
HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT
VIOLENCE, TO ASSESS VIOLENCE, TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A
SAFE WORKPLACE, RIGHT.
>> AND THIS ISN'T THE ONLY
POLICY MEASURE TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUE.
SOME LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO HOPING
ANOTHER BILL ADDRESSING
(18:46):
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IS SIGNED
INTO LAW.
STATE SENATOR PATRICIA FAHY, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE CAPITAL REGION, IS HOPING
THE BILL SHE SPONSORS, AIMED TO
IMPROVE THE INCIDENT REPORTING
PROCESSES, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
ALONG WITH THE WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
BILL.
THE SENATOR'S BILL WOULD ALLOW
FOR VICTIMS' STATEMENTS,
FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT, TO BE
TAKEN AT THE WORKPLACE INSTEAD
OF A POLICE STATION.
(19:07):
>> LETTING THE NURSES AND HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS KNOW WE HAVE YOUR
BACK, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS
EASIER FOR YOU TO REPORT BECAUSE
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE, LET ALONE
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, IS
UNACCEPTABLE.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO
STOPPING IT.
(19:27):
>> NAPLES SAYS THIS BILL IF
SIGNED INTO LAW, WOULD HELP
FOSTER HEALTH CARE WORKERS'
RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST WITH THE
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ENCOURAGE
BETTER REPORTING.
>> HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT COME
TO THE FACILITY OR TAKE THE
REPORT WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT
IT HAPPENS IS CRUCIAL.
I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE MORE
COMPLIANCE IN THAT REGARD TO BE
(19:48):
ABLE TO REPORT THINGS IN
REALTIME AND TRULY FEEL
SUPPORTED BY OUR LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
>> ROLISON, AS A FORMER POLICE
OFFICER, SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
VICTIMS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND
SAFE.
THE BILL WAS ALSO PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY AND CURRENTLY AWAITS
THE GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S
ANYTHING IN THAT BILL THAT WOULD
PREVENT THE GOVERNOR FROM
SIGNING IT, AND OF COURSE, I
(20:09):
SUPPORT THAT AND I APPRECIATE MY
COLLEAGUE SENATOR FAHY FOR
BRINGING IT TO THE FLOOR.
>> WHILE MANY HEALTH CARE
WORKERS FEEL BETTER SAFETY AND
INCIDENT REPORTING PLANS WILL
ULTIMATELY HELP ADDRESS
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, THERE IS
ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT THE STATE
STRUGGLES TO ADDRESS, STAFFING.
MANY NURSES AND HEALTH CARE
WORKERS SAY THE STAFFING LEVELS
IN HOSPITALS ARE UNSAFE AND ADD
TO THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE ISSUE.
(20:30):
>> IT'S HAND IN HAND.
IT'S PART OF THE WHOLE PICTURE
OF SAFE CARE WITHIN A HOSPITAL.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE RATIOS THAT
ALLOW YOU TO SAFELY ADDRESS ALL
OF YOUR PATIENTS' NEEDS, AS WELL
AS YOU HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY
SAFE.
>> THE STATE ESTABLISHED A SAFE
STAFFING LAW IN 2021, BUT MANY
HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
(20:50):
STILL STRUGGLE TO COMPLY.
THE LAW REQUIRES HOSPITALS TO
CREATE A CLINICAL STAFFING
COMMITTEE TO CREATE AND
IMPLEMENT STAFFING PLANS, WHICH
HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE NEW
YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
EVERY YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT,
INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS,
ISSUEING PENALTIES, SUCH AS
FINES AND RESOLVING COMPLAINTS.
LAST YEAR, ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER
WAS FINES $375,000 BY THE
(21:12):
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR FAILING
TO STAFF THEIR HOSPITALS SAFELY.
IN 2022, THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY WAS
CITED FOR FAILING TO DELIVER
SAFE STAFFING.
IN A STATEMENT SENT TO WMHT, THE
CEO OF THE ALBANY MEDICAL HEALTH
SYSTEM SAYS THEY ARE COMMITTED
TO IMPROVING AND INVESTING IN
THE WORKFORCE.
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL CENTER SAID IN
A STATEMENT THEY ADDRESS ALL
CITATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
(21:32):
REGULATORY GUIDELINES.
SCHAUB SAYS SHE HOPES THIS
ENFORCEMENT LEADS TO
IMPROVEMENT.
>> I HOPE THAT THEY TAKE IT VERY
SERIOUSLY.
THEY RECOGNIZE THAT A FINE LIKE
THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO
BETTER AND THAT THEY DO DO
BETTER.
>> BAZEL SAYS WHILE THE SAFE
STAFFING LAW HAS HELPED THE
ENFORCEMENT PROCESS, THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COULD BE
DOING MORE.
SHE SAYS SHE SHARES FRUSTRATIONS
(21:52):
VOICED BY BIG UNIONS LIKE CWA,
COMPLAINING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF
STAFFING VIOLATIONS FILED WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT
THEY SAY HAVE NOT BEEN
ADDRESSED.
FROM 2022 TO 2025, ABOUT A
HANDFUL OF HOSPITALS WERE FINED
OR CITED FOR FAILING TO DELIVER
SAFE STAFFING, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC
RECORDS.
BAZEL SAYS IT WASN'T UNTIL THE
NEW YORK STATE'S NURSES
ASSOCIATION GOT INVOLVED THAT
(22:13):
THEY WERE ABLE TO GET RESULTS,
AND MANY HEALTH CARE WORKERS
FROM ACROSS THE STATE DON'T HAVE
REPRESENTATION FROM BIG UNIONS.
>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN DOING
WHAT THEY CALL POAS.
OVER THE YEARS, MANY, MANY
TIMES, THAT'S COMPLAINED OF
ASSIGNMENT TO THE DOH, BUT
NOTHING COMES OF IT.
UNTIL YOU HAVE A HUGE ENTITY, A
STRONG FORCE BEHIND YOU THAT
(22:35):
PUTS WEIGHT ON THE REGULATORY
SYSTEMS, THE DOH, AGAIN, NOTHING
GETS DONE.
>> NAPLES SAYS HEALTH CARE
WORKERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE
ENFORCEMENT OF THE 2021 SAFE
STAFFING LEGISLATION.
>> WE HAVE FILED WITH THE DOH
FOR VIOLATION OF OUR STAFFING
RATIOS AND STAFFING LAW.
WE'D LIKE TO DEFINITELY SEE A
(22:56):
RETURN ON THAT, YOU KNOW, AN
ACTUAL ENFORCEMENT OF WHAT WAS
PROMISED.
>> IN A STATEMENT SENT TO WMHT,
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID
THEY HAVE RESOLVED THOUSANDS OF
COMPLAINTS OVER THE LAST THREE
YEARS AND THEY CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THEY
INVESTIGATE ALL COMPLAINTS AND
HAVE RESOLVED MORE THAN 50% OF
THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS
RECEIVED.
(23:16):
SOME LAWMAKERS, LIKE SENATOR
FAHY, SAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SAFE STAFFING IN NEW YORK HAS
BEEN SLOW LARGELY DUE TO COVID
AND STAFFING SHORTAGES.
FAHY ALSO SAYS SHE'S WORRIED
ABOUT HOW SAFE STAFFING COULD BE
IMPACTED IN THE STATE AFTER THE
PASSAGE OF TRUMP'S BIG BEAUTIFUL
BILL, WHICH ELIMINATES FEDERAL
SAFE STAFFING STANDARDS FOR
NURSING HOMES.
>> SO I'M ACTUALLY VERY WORRIED
(23:36):
THAT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL RIGHT
NOW, THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL OR
BIG BEAUTIFUL BETRAYAL, AS I
CALL IT, MAY LEAD TO EVEN MORE
ROLLBACKS IN MOVING TOWARD SAFE
STAFFING AND WE'RE STILL
DIGESTING THAT, BUT IT LOOKS
LIKE AT LEAST FOR NURSING HOMES,
(23:56):
I THINK THEY'VE ELIMINATED SAFE
STAFFING STANDARDS.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS WILL
CERTAINLY HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS
IN THIS OFF-SESSION TIME AHEAD
OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE BILLS
HAVEN'T BEEN DELIVERED TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK YET AND AT THIS
POINT, IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THAT
WILL HAPPEN.
ONCE THEY ARE DELIVERED TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK, SHE WILL HAVE
ABOUT 30 DAYS TO REVIEW THEM.
(24:17):
ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON WORKFORCE
PROTECTIONS FOR NURSES IN THE
STATE, YOU CAN VISIT OUR
WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO OUR LAST TOPIC.
THIS WEEK FORMER GOVERNOR ANDREW
CUOMO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HIS
(24:38):
DECISION TO RUN IN THE GENERAL
ELECTION FOR NEW YORK CITY
MAYOR.
THE MOVE COMES ABOUT A MONTH
AFTER THE FORMER GOVERNOR LOST
THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR MAYOR
TO ASSEMBLY MEMBER ZOHRAN
MAMDANI.
>> I AM TRULY SORRY THAT I LET
YOU DOWN, BUT AS MY GRANDFATHER
USED TO SAY, WHEN YOU GET
KNOCKED DOWN, LEARN THE LESSON
(24:59):
AND PICK YOURSELF BACK UP AND
GET IN THE GAME, AND THAT IS
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR CITY ISN'T
OVER.
ONLY 13% OF NEW YORKERS VOTED IN
THE JUNE PRIMARY.
THE GENERAL ELECTION IS IN
NOVEMBER AND I AM IN IT TO WIN
IT.
EVERY DAY I'M GOING TO BE
HITTING THE STREETS, MEETING YOU
WHERE YOU ARE, TO HEAR THE GOOD
(25:21):
AND THE BAD, PROBLEMS AND
SOLUTIONS.
BECAUSE FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO EARN
YOUR VOTE.
>> AS WE DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW,
THE FORMER GOVERNOR HAS BEEN
TRYING TO LAUNCH A POLITICAL
COMEBACK AFTER RESIGNING AS
GOVERNOR IN 2021, AMIDST SEXUAL
HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.
(25:42):
THE FORMER GOVERNOR WILL BE
GOING UP AGAINST MAMDANI,
INCUMBENT MAYOR ERIC ADAMS,
INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
CURTIS SLIWA, AND INDEPENDENT
CANDIDATE JIM WALDEN.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU
UPDATES ON THIS RACE IN THE
COMING WEEKS LEADING UP TO
ELECTION DAY.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
(26:05):
BY GOING TO NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG
OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE ON
YOUR SCREEN.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:42):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S
EDITION OF NEW YORK NOW.
I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.
(00:23):
THIS MONTH MARKS THE 35TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
THIS LAW IS A FEDERAL CIVIL
RIGHTS POLICY THAT WAS
IMPLEMENTED IN 1990 AND IS MEANT
TO PROTECT PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES FROM BEING
DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.
IN NEW YORK, THE STATE OFFICE
FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
(00:43):
DISABILITIES COMMEMORATED THE
ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK AND IS
VOWING TO UPHOLD THE TENETS OF
THE FEDERAL POLICY IN THE YEARS
TO COME.
THE OFFICE IS ALSO SOUNDING THE
ALARM ON HOW FEDERAL CUTS TO
MEDICIAID COULD ALSO IMPACT NEW
YORKERS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN THE
PROGRAM AND BALANCING THE
(01:04):
CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH
FINDING SUITABLE CARE FOR
DISBILITIES.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, WE SAT
DOWN WITH THE NEWLY APPOINTED
COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT,
WILLOW BAER, TO DISCUSS THE
IMPACT OF THE POLICY AND HER
PLANS FOR THE OFFICE.
HERE'S THAT CONVERSATION.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
(01:25):
US HERE TODAY, COMMISSIONER.
>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR
INTEREST AND FOR THE INVITATION.
>> YEAH. SO AS A NEWLY CONFIRMED
COMMISSIONER FOR THE OFFICE FOR
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES IN THE STATE, WHAT
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR
JOURNEY TO BECOMING COMMISSIONER
AND YOUR PLAN FOR THE OFFICE?
>> MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING
COMMISSIONER WAS VERY
UNEXPECTED.
I AM A RECOVERING ATTORNEY, SO
(01:46):
I'M AN ATTORNEY BY TRADE.
I SERVED AS COUNCIL TO THE
AGENCY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AS
WELL AS ASSISTANT COUNCIL TO
GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL AFTER TWO
DIFFERENT TERMS.
CAME BACK TO THE AGENCY INTO
OPERATIONAL ROLE ABOUT A YEAR
AND A HALF AGO, AND THE
THEN-COMMISSIONER DECIDED THAT
SHE WAS GOING TO SORT OF RETIRE,
(02:07):
MOVE ON, FOCUS ON HER HOME LIFE
AND FAMILY, AND I HAD THE
UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITY TO STEP
UP INTO THIS ROLE AND IT HAS
JUST BEEN THE HONOR OF A
LIFETIME.
IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE SO FAR.
>> YEAH. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR
THE OFFICE?
>> I WANT NEW YORK STATE TO
REMAIN SORT OF A LEADER IN THE
DISABILITY SERVICES WORLD.
(02:28):
I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT
WE'VE DONE, BUT AS A SYSTEM, WE
ARE AT LIKE A MIDLIFE CRISIS.
WE'RE RELATIVELY NEW SYSTEM
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN TERMS
OF HAVING PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES REALLY COMMUNITY
INTEGRATED, GETTING JOBS, LIVING
THEIR BEST LIFE IN THE
COMMUNITY, AND I AM REALLY
EXCITED TO MOVE INTO THE FUTURE,
(02:49):
INTO THE NEXT WAVE OF WHAT THIS
SERVICE SYSTEM CAN LOOK LIKE TO
MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE REALLY
LIVING THE SAME LIFE THAT ANYONE
ELSE HAS ACCESS TO.
I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE AT THE
SORT OF HELM AT THE NEXT WAVE OF
THAT TRANSFORMATION.
>> AND HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR
TENURE AS COMMISSIONER WILL BE
DIFFERENT OR UNIQUE TO THE
(03:09):
TENURES OF THOSE BEFORE YOU?
>> WELL, THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION.
I THINK EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT.
EVERYONE BRINGS A LITTLE
SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I REALLY COME TO THE SYSTEM FROM
THE ROLE OF AN ADVOCATE AND AS A
FAMILY MEMBER.
SO I'M THE FAMILY MEMBER OF
SOMEONE WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITY SERVED IN THE SYSTEM.
SO MY FOCUS RIGHT OUT OF THE
GATE WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
(03:29):
HAD FAMILY STAKEHOLDERS AND
SELF-ADVOCATES AT THE TABLE TO
HELP US DEVELOP POLICIES AND TO
REALLY UNDERSTAND THE CUSTOMER
EXPERIENCE OF THE SERVICE
SYSTEM, AND SO I THINK THAT SORT
OF VISION AS AN ADVOCATE IS WHAT
I BUILD INTO EVERYTHING I DO AND
HOPE TO BE SORT OF THE LASTING
LEGACY OF MY LEADERSHIP.
(03:50):
>> AND JULY MARKS THE 35TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT.
WHAT DOES THAT MILESTONE MEAN TO
YOU AND YOUR OFFICE?
>> IT IS. THANK YOU FOR
HIGHLIGHTING IT.
IT MEANS EVERYTHING.
I WAS IN AUSTRIA NOT THAT LONG
AGO AT A CONFERENCE FILLED WITH
PEOPLE THAT WERE DISABILITY
ADVOCATES FROM ALL DIFFERENT
COUNTRIES ALL AROUND THE WORLD,
AND THE UNITED STATES REALLY IS
(04:11):
STILL THE NORTH STAR IN TERMS OF
DISABILITY ACCESS AND IT'S
BECAUSE OF THINGS LIKE THE ADA,
WHICH REALLY WE ONLY HAVE HERE.
MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T EVEN
HAVE AN ADA YET.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE
CELEBRATING THAT EVENT ON THE
PLAZA AND TO BE FOCUSING ON WHAT
WE HAVE DONE IN THE STATE OVER
THE LAST 35 YEARS.
(04:32):
IT IS EVERYTHING TO THE
DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMUNITY AND
TO OUR AGENCY, IN PARTICULAR.
WE WANT PEOPLE WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO
HAVE ACCESS TO ANYTHING YOU OR I
WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO, AND THE
ADA IS REALLY AT THE HEART OF
EVERYTHING.
>> YEAH. AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU
ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE
WILLOWBROOK STATE SCHOOL.
NOW WE KNOW THIS WAS A
STATE-OWNED FACILITY THAT WOULD
(04:54):
HOUSE CHILDREN WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
IT WAS CLOSED DOWN AFTER SEVERAL
REPORTS OF JUST NEGLECT AND
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS FOR THE
KIDS IN THE SCHOOL.
WHAT DOES THE LEGACY OF
WILLOWBROOK MEAN TO YOU?
HOW DOES THAT SHAPE THE WAY THAT
YOU'RE GOING TO APPROACH
LEADERSHIP?
>> THE LEGACY OF WILLOWBROOK IS
(05:15):
HARD FOR NEW YORK BECAUSE IT
IMMEDIATELY CONJURES THIS IMAGE
FOR ANYONE-- YOU HEAR THE WORDS
WILLOWBROOK, YOU REMEMBER THE
DOCUMENTARY.
YOU REMEMBER THOSE IMAGES AND
THOSE SOUNDS AND IT WAS AWFUL.
BUT THE CLOSING OF WILLOWBROOK
REALLY SPARKED AN INTERNATIONAL
MOVEMENT, AND THAT STARTED HERE
IN NEW YORK, RIGHT, IN TERMS OF
DEINSTITUTIONALIZING PEOPLE.
(05:36):
MOVING THEM OUT OF THOSE
HORRIBLE CONDITIONS, MOVING
PEOPLE OUT INTO COMMUNITY
RESIDENCES, TAKING PEOPLE OUT TO
VOLUNTEER, RIGHT, AND SO THAT
MARKED REALLY THE START OF
EVERYTHING THAT MY AGENCY DOES
AND IS SUCH A RICH HISTORY BUT
SUCH A DARK HISTORY, RIGHT.
THIS YEAR, AND THIS YEAR'S AN
(05:57):
ACTIVE BUDGET, ACTUALLY HAVE AN
INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT FROM THE
GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE TO
BUILD A WILLOWBROOK CENTER FOR
LEARNING ON STATEN ISLAND WHERE
WE'RE RENOVATING THE LAST
BUILDING LEFT ON THAT STATE
CAMPUS THAT NEEDS-- THAT
RENOVATION IS STILL SORT OF
STUCK IN TIME.
IT LOOKS THE SAME AS IT DID
THEN.
IT'S A TERRIBLE REMINDER WHEN
(06:17):
PEOPLE DRIVE PAST IT.
SO WE HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE
INVESTMENT TO UPDATE THE ENTIRE
CAMPUS TO REALLY MAKE SOME
MODERNIZATIONS AND THAT
BUILDING, IN PARTICULAR, TO
BUILD A WILLOWBROOK CENTER FOR
LEARNING WHERE WE CAN BRING
ARTIFACTS AND TIMELINES AND
REALLY HONOR THAT HISTORY IN A
POSITIVE WAY AND REALLY
HIGHLIGHT HOW MUCH GROWTH HAS
HAPPENED SINCE THEN.
>> AND IF SOMEONE WANTED TO
(06:38):
REPORT NEGLECT FOR A PERSON WITH
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
TODAY, IS THAT SOMETHING THEY
COULD DO WITH YOUR OFFICE, OR
WOULD IT BE ANOTHER STATE AGENCY
LIKE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S
OFFICE?
>> SO THE NEW YORK STATE JUSTICE
CENTER WAS LAUNCHED IN 2013 AND
ALL ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE,
NEGLECT, NOT JUST FOR MY SYSTEM,
BUT FOR OTHER SYSTEMS THAT SERVE
(06:58):
VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN NEW
YORK, THE NEW YORK STATE JUSTICE
CENTER HOUSES SORT OF THAT
REPORTING PROCESS.
REPORTS CAN BE MADE TO US
DIRECTLY.
WE MAKE REPORTS TO THE JUSTICE
CENTER WHEN WE NEED TO, BUT THEY
SORT OF MAINTAIN THAT PROCESS TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS
REPORTED AND REVIEWED FROM A
NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY.
>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORK
(07:19):
OF YOUR OFFICE, IS THERE ANY
OVERLAP WITH THE COUNCIL FOR
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO OUR PARTNERS AT THE COUNCIL
REALLY OVERSEE THE GRANT
PROCESS.
THEY HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING.
THEY'RE IN CHARGE OF THE FEDERAL
FUNDING COMPONENT OF THE
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY SERVICE
SYSTEM, AND THEY REVIEW GRANTS
(07:40):
AND INITIATIVES AND SO WE REALLY
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM.
THEY ARE THEIR OWN AGENCY.
THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DIRECTOR.
SHE DOES INCREDIBLE WORK AND
BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO
THIS FIELD, BUT THEY ARE
INCREDIBLE PARTNERS IN TERMS OF
SHARING THEIR RESEARCH, SHARING
THEIR RESOURCES.
WE TALK ALL THE TIME ABOUT WHAT
MY PRIORITIES ARE AND HOW THEY
CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE AND VICE
VERSA.
SO THEY'RE AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER
(08:01):
HERE IN NEW YORK.
>> AND YOU MENTIONED FEDERAL
FUNDING AND FEDERAL POLICY.
SO I WANTED TO GET INTO
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BIG,
BEAUTIFUL BILL.
DO YOU SEE THAT FEDERAL POLICY
HAVING ANY IMPACT ON THE WORK
THAT YOU'RE DOING?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
ABSOLUTELY.
THERE'S NO WAY IT COULDN'T.
SO WE KNOW THAT THE IMPACT OF
THAT BILL WILL LOOK LIKE ALMOST
(08:22):
$14 BILLION IN MEDICAID CUTS TO
NEW YORK STATE.
SO THAT IS LARGELY IN HEALTH AND
HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, BUT YOU CAN'T
CUT $14 BILLION OF HEALTH CARE
IN NEW YORK STATE AND NOT IMPACT
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO
ALSO RELY ON MEDICAID FOR THOSE
HEALTH SERVICES.
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES, IN PARTICULAR,
ALREADY HAVE A VERY HARD TIME
FINDING MEDICAL PROVIDERS,
(08:42):
DENTAL PROVIDERS, APPOINTMENT
TIMES, OFFICES THAT ARE
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, FOR
EXAMPLE.
OUR POPULATION HAS A HARD TIME
ACCESSING HEALTH CARE.
THIS WILL MAKE IT A HUNDRED
TIMES HARDER FOR THEM.
WE RELY ON $7 BILLION OF
MEDICAID, JUST TO SERVE PEOPLE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
IN NEW YORK ALONE.
SO WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT $14
(09:04):
BILLION OVERALL BEING CUT OUT OF
THE MEDICAID BUDGET, IT WILL
ABSOLUTELY IMPACT EVERYONE THAT
WE WORK TO SERVE, AS WELL AS ALL
OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK REALLY
HARD TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN THE
SYSTEM WHO ARE OVERALL A LOW
INCOME WORKFORCE, RIGHT, SO IT
WILL ABSOLUTELY HAVE DEVASTATING
IMPACTS ACROSS THE STATE.
(09:25):
>> AND WHEN IT COMES TO STATE
FUNDING, DO YOU THINK THE STATE
IS GIVING YOU ENOUGH IN
FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT
THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING?
>> SO UNDER THIS GOVERNOR, WE
HAVE HAD INCREDIBLE INVESTMENTS
OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S INVESTED $4
BILLION IN NEW FUNDING JUST TO
OUR SERVICE SYSTEM IN THE LAST
FOUR YEARS BY WAY OF COST OF
(09:47):
LIVING ADJUSTMENTS AND WORKFORCE
BONUSES AND THE $850 MILLION
INVESTMENT WE MADE RECENTLY TO
OUR PROVIDER, OUR NONPROFIT
PROVIDER SYSTEM.
SO WE HAVE BEEN DOING INCREDIBLY
WELL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IN MY
SYSTEM REALLY CATCHING UP TO THE
COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND
MAKING REALLY INTENTIONAL
INVESTMENTS IN PLACES WHERE
(10:08):
HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN
UNDERINVESTED.
THAT BEING SAID, WITH A $14
BILLION CUT TO MEDICAID COMING
UP, YOU KNOW, THE NEW YORK
STATE, NO MATTER HOW GOOD A
FINANCIAL STATE WE'RE IN, IS
NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE
UP THAT LOSS OF FUNDING.
>> AND LASTLY, WHAT ARE SOME OF
YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS FOR THE
OFFICE?
HOW ARE YOU HOPING THAT THE
(10:29):
STATE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES IN THE YEARS TO
COME?
>> I THINK WE'RE REALLY ON A
GREAT TRACK.
WE HAVE A REALLY ROBUST
STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE'VE BEEN
WORKING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
IT REALLY SET OUT SHORT-TERM AND
LONG-TERM GOALS FOR THE AGENCY.
YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, YOU I'VE
BEEN REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT
INVOLVING SELF-ADVOCATES AND
(10:49):
FAMILY ADVOCATES AND DEVELOPING
BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR
NON-PROFIT PROVIDER TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY FEEL VERY SUPPORTED
AND THE DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF
THAT WORK REALLY HARD EVERY DAY
ACROSS THE STATE TO SUPPORT
PEOPLE FEEL SUPPORTED AND HAVE
THE RESOURCES TO DO THE JOB THEY
NEED TO DO.
SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO JUST
CONTINUE THAT WORK DRIVING
FORWARD OUR STRATEGIC PLAN,
(11:10):
MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE WHAT
THEY NEED TO REALLY LIVE
INTEGRATED LIVES AND TO INCREASE
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
THAT'S AN AREA IN NEW YORK STATE
WHERE WE HISTORICALLY HAVE NOT
DONE A GREAT JOB MAKING SURE
THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
HAVE ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL
EMPLOYMENT.
SO WE'RE VERY FOCUSED ON DRIVING
THAT FORWARD THIS YEAR AS WELL.
>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S
(11:31):
ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US
TODAY, COMMISSIONER.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> OF COURSE.
AND WE WERE SPEAKING WITH WILLOW
BAER, COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW
YORK STATE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
AND FOR MORE ON OUR CONVERSATION
WITH THE COMMISSIONER, YOU CAN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE.
(11:52):
THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER IMPORTANT
TOPIC.
IN NEW YORK, STATE LAWMAKERS AND
HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN
PUSHING TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE
CONDITIONS FOR NURSES ACROSS THE
STATE.
THEY SAY THAT THE STATE SHOULD
BE DOING MORE TO ESTABLISH
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
(12:12):
PROGRAMS AND ADDRESS INCIDENT
REPORTING ISSUES IN HOSPITALS.
THE TWO BILLS THAT WOULD ADDRESS
THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN PASSED IN
THE LEGISLATURE, BUT NEED TO BE
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BEFORE
THEY CAN BE ENACTED.
IN THIS NEXT SEGMENT, OUR ELISE
KLINE DOVE INTO THE IMPACT OF
THOSE BILLS.
(12:32):
HERE'S THAT STORY.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AT A TIME WHEN MORE THAN 81%
OF NURSES NATIONALLY EXPERIENCE
PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AT WORK, STATE
LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO REDUCE
INCIDENTS IN NEW YORK.
IN THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE
SESSION IN ALBANY, STATE
LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL TO
REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO ESTABLISH A
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
PROGRAM.
IF THE LAW IS ENACTED, THE
(12:53):
PROGRAM WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS
TO DEVELOP A WORKPLACE SAFETY
AND SECURITY ASSESSMENT AND A
SAFETY AND SECURITY PLAN.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER CATALINA CRUZ, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENT PARTS OF
QUEENS AND LEAD SPONSOR OF THE
BILL, SAYS THE GOAL OF THE BILL
IS TO DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE
HIGH PERCENTAGE OF NURSES AND
HEALTH CARE WORKERS HARMED ON
THE JOB.
>>
>> THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN GO AND
(13:14):
TRY TO SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE AND
INSTEAD YOU'RE GOING TO END UP
ATTACKED, IT'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT I THINK ANY OF THE NURSES
OR DOCTORS ARE WANTING OR
EXPECTING AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE
PART OF THE EVERYDAY WORK THAT
THEY ARE DOING.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'RE IMPACTING IT POSITIVELY.
>> TONIA BAZEL, A REGISTERED
NURSE AT ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER
(13:34):
SAYS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IS A BIG
CONTRIBUTOR TO NURSES LEAVING
THE JOB ALTOGETHER.
>> IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
MAKES US RETHINK THE DECISION
FOR BECOMING A BEDSIDE NURSE.
>> ACCORDING TO A STUDY FROM THE
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE,'S
IT'S ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 17% OF
NURSES LEAVE THEIR JOBS EVERY
YEAR DUE TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.
(13:55):
>> IT'S BEEN THE GAMUT.
I'VE BEEN KICKED, PUNCHED,
SCRATCHED, HAD FECES THROWN AT
ME, THREATENED FOR MY LIFE.
>> BAZEL HAS BEEN A NURSE FOR
NEARLY 30 YEARS.
SHE SAYS SHE HAS CONSIDERED
LEAVING BECAUSE OF WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE.
WHAT STOPPED HER, THE PURPOSE TO
CARE FOR HER PATIENTS.
(14:15):
>> NURSING IS CHALLENGING IN
MANY, MANY WAYS.
ALSO REWARDING IN MANY, MANY
WAYS.
>> AND BAZEL ISN'T ALONE.
NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS
OFTEN EXPERIENCE THIS KIND OF
VIOLENCE REGULARLY.
SOME HAVE EVEN LOST TEETH AND
THEIR MEMORY AS A RESULT OF
ATTACKS.
>> JULIETTE NAPLES, A REGISTERED
NURSE IN BUFFALO, SAYS DEALING
WITH WORKPLACE VIOLENCE MAKES
THE JOB SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
(14:35):
>> JUST WITHIN MY UNIT, WE HAVE
HAD PARENTS THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW,
BEEN VERBALLY ABUSIVE TO THE
POINT WHERE THEY'VE, YOU KNOW,
CHARGED OR WALKED TOWARD A
PHYSICIAN AND/OR A NURSE.
WE-- WE HAVE A GREAT SECURITY
TEAM THAT RESPONDS FAIRLY
QUICKLY, BUT WE NEED TO
(14:56):
IMPLEMENT MORE-- MORE SAFETY
MEASURES.
>> BAZEL STRESSES THAT THE
CURRENT SYSTEM IN HOSPITALS FOR
REPORTING INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE
IS NOT WORKING.
SHE SAYS NURSES COMPLETE WHAT'S
CALLED A S.I, OR AN INTERNAL
DOCUMENT, RELATED TO PATIENT
CARE AND SAFETY, BUT SHE SAYS
THEY DON'T EVER KNOW THE OUTCOME
AFTER.
>> NO ONE GIVES US FEEDBACK AS
TO WHAT'S BEING DONE, WHAT WE'LL
(15:17):
CHANGE, WHAT WE'LL DO
DIFFERENTLY.
WE DON'T SEE OR HEAR ANY OF THAT
AND BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING
AS A NURSE TO HOLD MANAGEMENT
ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THIS
STUFF, WE'RE JUST-- WE JUST LIVE
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES REPEATEDLY.
>> BAZEL SAYS THIS BILL, IF
SIGNED INTO LAW, WILL HELP
(15:37):
ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF
ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> AND WITH THESE LAWS, IT WILL
HAVE LIKE A REGULATORY PLACE
TO-- TO PRESENT THESE PROBLEMS
AND THEY'LL MAKE US COME UP WITH
PLANS THAT WILL-- TO HELP US
ALLEVIATE OR YOU KNOW, REDUCE
THESE PROBLEMS.
>> NAPLES SAYS NURSES AND HEALTH
CARE WORKERS SEE PEOPLE IN THEIR
(15:58):
MOST VULNERABLE TIMES AND
CONSEQUENTIALLY, THEY CAN LEAD
TO HIGH EMOTIONS AND VIOLENT
BEHAVIOR.
>> IT'S A-- IT'S A DIFFICULT
TIME.
USUALLY AT THEIR SICKEST TIME SO
IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE
HAVE LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORTS
PROTECTING OUR HEALTH CARE
WORKERS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS ONE OF THE
(16:21):
HIGHEST JOBS THAT THERE IS
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.
>> THE BILL PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS
NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY THIS YEAR
AFTER FAILING IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER CRUZ SAYS THIS
YEAR THE BILL HAD MORE SUPPORT
FROM HEALTH CARE GROUPS LIKE THE
EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTORS
ASSOCIATION, 1199 AND THE NEW
YORK NURSES ASSOCIATION.
(16:42):
>> HAVING THEM COME TO US AND
SAY WE NEED THIS AND WE'RE GOING
TO HELP YOU PASS THIS WAS A BIG
TIPPING POINT TO ENSURING THAT
THE LEGISLATION PASSED.
>> HELEN SCHUAB, 1199'S
POLITICAL DIRECTOR, SAYS THE
BILL WAS STRONGER THIS YEAR THAN
IN PREVIOUS YEARS, INCLUDING
MORE PROVISIONS ALLOWING
FRONTLINE WORKERS TO BE INVOLVED
IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SAFETY
PLANS.
(17:02):
>> SO THAT WAS SOMETHING WE CAME
TO THE TABLE AND SAID, LOOK, IF
YOU'RE GONNA DO THIS, YOU HAVE
TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
FACING THIS EVERY DAY AND MAKE
SURE THEY'RE CONSULTED AND BEING
ABLE TO ANALYZE WHAT THE
PROBLEMS ARE, WHAT THE
VULNERABILITIES ARE AND THEN HOW
TO RESPOND TO IT.
SO I THINK IT WAS REALLY EVERY
COMING TOGETHER.
>> SCHAUB SAYS THE PLANS SHOULD
BE MORE THAN JUST PAPERWORK.
>> IT IS REALLY ABOUT HOW DO YOU
(17:23):
MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE
ATTENTION AND EFFORT TO REALLY
ANALYZING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO
LOOKING AT INCIDENT REPORTS AND
THE FREQUENCY OF INCIDENTS AND
WHEN THEY'RE HAPPENING, ON WHAT
SHIFTS, ON WHAT UNITS, AND THEN
USING THAT CONCRETE INFORMATION,
AS WELL AS THE DIRECT FEEDBACK
FROM WORKERS WHO ARE IN THE LINE
OF FIRE.
>> MANY STATE LAWMAKERS ARE
(17:43):
HOPEFUL THE BILL WILL BE SIGNED
INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KATHIE
HOCHUL.
ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOHN MCDONALD, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE CAPITAL REGION, SAYS THIS
BILL IS IMPORTANT AND WILL
ULTIMATELY IMPROVE THE
ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS AND
WORKERS IN HOSPITALS.
>> THE IDEA TO HAVE A PROCESS IN
PLACE WHERE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS
DEVELOPING A PLAN AND MORE
(18:04):
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS
INVESTIGATING INCIDENTS AND
HAVING FOLLOW-UP, IT THINK IT
ONLY SERVES THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
WITHIN THAT HOSPITAL OR HEALTH
CARE FACILITY FOR THE BETTER.
>> THE BILL ALSO HAS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.
STATE SENATOR ROB ROLISON, A
REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING PARTS OF
ORANGE COUNTY AND A COSPONSOR OF
THE BILL, SAYS THE BILL IS JUST
(18:25):
COMMON SENSE.
>> WE CERTAINLY, AS A STATE,
HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT
VIOLENCE, TO ASSESS VIOLENCE, TO
MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS A
SAFE WORKPLACE, RIGHT.
>> AND THIS ISN'T THE ONLY
POLICY MEASURE TO ADDRESS THE
ISSUE.
SOME LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO HOPING
ANOTHER BILL ADDRESSING
(18:46):
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IS SIGNED
INTO LAW.
STATE SENATOR PATRICIA FAHY, A
DEMOCRAT REPRESENTING PARTS OF
THE CAPITAL REGION, IS HOPING
THE BILL SHE SPONSORS, AIMED TO
IMPROVE THE INCIDENT REPORTING
PROCESSES, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
ALONG WITH THE WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
BILL.
THE SENATOR'S BILL WOULD ALLOW
FOR VICTIMS' STATEMENTS,
FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT, TO BE
TAKEN AT THE WORKPLACE INSTEAD
OF A POLICE STATION.
(19:07):
>> LETTING THE NURSES AND HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS KNOW WE HAVE YOUR
BACK, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS
EASIER FOR YOU TO REPORT BECAUSE
IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE, LET ALONE
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, IS
UNACCEPTABLE.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO
STOPPING IT.
(19:27):
>> NAPLES SAYS THIS BILL IF
SIGNED INTO LAW, WOULD HELP
FOSTER HEALTH CARE WORKERS'
RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST WITH THE
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ENCOURAGE
BETTER REPORTING.
>> HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT COME
TO THE FACILITY OR TAKE THE
REPORT WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT
IT HAPPENS IS CRUCIAL.
I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE MORE
COMPLIANCE IN THAT REGARD TO BE
(19:48):
ABLE TO REPORT THINGS IN
REALTIME AND TRULY FEEL
SUPPORTED BY OUR LOCAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
>> ROLISON, AS A FORMER POLICE
OFFICER, SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
VICTIMS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND
SAFE.
THE BILL WAS ALSO PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY AND CURRENTLY AWAITS
THE GOVERNOR'S REVIEW.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S
ANYTHING IN THAT BILL THAT WOULD
PREVENT THE GOVERNOR FROM
SIGNING IT, AND OF COURSE, I
(20:09):
SUPPORT THAT AND I APPRECIATE MY
COLLEAGUE SENATOR FAHY FOR
BRINGING IT TO THE FLOOR.
>> WHILE MANY HEALTH CARE
WORKERS FEEL BETTER SAFETY AND
INCIDENT REPORTING PLANS WILL
ULTIMATELY HELP ADDRESS
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, THERE IS
ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT THE STATE
STRUGGLES TO ADDRESS, STAFFING.
MANY NURSES AND HEALTH CARE
WORKERS SAY THE STAFFING LEVELS
IN HOSPITALS ARE UNSAFE AND ADD
TO THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE ISSUE.
(20:30):
>> IT'S HAND IN HAND.
IT'S PART OF THE WHOLE PICTURE
OF SAFE CARE WITHIN A HOSPITAL.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE RATIOS THAT
ALLOW YOU TO SAFELY ADDRESS ALL
OF YOUR PATIENTS' NEEDS, AS WELL
AS YOU HAVE TO BE PHYSICALLY
SAFE.
>> THE STATE ESTABLISHED A SAFE
STAFFING LAW IN 2021, BUT MANY
HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE
(20:50):
STILL STRUGGLE TO COMPLY.
THE LAW REQUIRES HOSPITALS TO
CREATE A CLINICAL STAFFING
COMMITTEE TO CREATE AND
IMPLEMENT STAFFING PLANS, WHICH
HAVE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE NEW
YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
EVERY YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT,
INVESTIGATING VIOLATIONS,
ISSUEING PENALTIES, SUCH AS
FINES AND RESOLVING COMPLAINTS.
LAST YEAR, ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER
WAS FINES $375,000 BY THE
(21:12):
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR FAILING
TO STAFF THEIR HOSPITALS SAFELY.
IN 2022, THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL
CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY WAS
CITED FOR FAILING TO DELIVER
SAFE STAFFING.
IN A STATEMENT SENT TO WMHT, THE
CEO OF THE ALBANY MEDICAL HEALTH
SYSTEM SAYS THEY ARE COMMITTED
TO IMPROVING AND INVESTING IN
THE WORKFORCE.
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL CENTER SAID IN
A STATEMENT THEY ADDRESS ALL
CITATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
(21:32):
REGULATORY GUIDELINES.
SCHAUB SAYS SHE HOPES THIS
ENFORCEMENT LEADS TO
IMPROVEMENT.
>> I HOPE THAT THEY TAKE IT VERY
SERIOUSLY.
THEY RECOGNIZE THAT A FINE LIKE
THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO
BETTER AND THAT THEY DO DO
BETTER.
>> BAZEL SAYS WHILE THE SAFE
STAFFING LAW HAS HELPED THE
ENFORCEMENT PROCESS, THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COULD BE
DOING MORE.
SHE SAYS SHE SHARES FRUSTRATIONS
(21:52):
VOICED BY BIG UNIONS LIKE CWA,
COMPLAINING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF
STAFFING VIOLATIONS FILED WITH
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT
THEY SAY HAVE NOT BEEN
ADDRESSED.
FROM 2022 TO 2025, ABOUT A
HANDFUL OF HOSPITALS WERE FINED
OR CITED FOR FAILING TO DELIVER
SAFE STAFFING, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC
RECORDS.
BAZEL SAYS IT WASN'T UNTIL THE
NEW YORK STATE'S NURSES
ASSOCIATION GOT INVOLVED THAT
(22:13):
THEY WERE ABLE TO GET RESULTS,
AND MANY HEALTH CARE WORKERS
FROM ACROSS THE STATE DON'T HAVE
REPRESENTATION FROM BIG UNIONS.
>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN DOING
WHAT THEY CALL POAS.
OVER THE YEARS, MANY, MANY
TIMES, THAT'S COMPLAINED OF
ASSIGNMENT TO THE DOH, BUT
NOTHING COMES OF IT.
UNTIL YOU HAVE A HUGE ENTITY, A
STRONG FORCE BEHIND YOU THAT
(22:35):
PUTS WEIGHT ON THE REGULATORY
SYSTEMS, THE DOH, AGAIN, NOTHING
GETS DONE.
>> NAPLES SAYS HEALTH CARE
WORKERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE
ENFORCEMENT OF THE 2021 SAFE
STAFFING LEGISLATION.
>> WE HAVE FILED WITH THE DOH
FOR VIOLATION OF OUR STAFFING
RATIOS AND STAFFING LAW.
WE'D LIKE TO DEFINITELY SEE A
(22:56):
RETURN ON THAT, YOU KNOW, AN
ACTUAL ENFORCEMENT OF WHAT WAS
PROMISED.
>> IN A STATEMENT SENT TO WMHT,
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID
THEY HAVE RESOLVED THOUSANDS OF
COMPLAINTS OVER THE LAST THREE
YEARS AND THEY CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THEY
INVESTIGATE ALL COMPLAINTS AND
HAVE RESOLVED MORE THAN 50% OF
THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS
RECEIVED.
(23:16):
SOME LAWMAKERS, LIKE SENATOR
FAHY, SAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
SAFE STAFFING IN NEW YORK HAS
BEEN SLOW LARGELY DUE TO COVID
AND STAFFING SHORTAGES.
FAHY ALSO SAYS SHE'S WORRIED
ABOUT HOW SAFE STAFFING COULD BE
IMPACTED IN THE STATE AFTER THE
PASSAGE OF TRUMP'S BIG BEAUTIFUL
BILL, WHICH ELIMINATES FEDERAL
SAFE STAFFING STANDARDS FOR
NURSING HOMES.
>> SO I'M ACTUALLY VERY WORRIED
(23:36):
THAT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL RIGHT
NOW, THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL OR
BIG BEAUTIFUL BETRAYAL, AS I
CALL IT, MAY LEAD TO EVEN MORE
ROLLBACKS IN MOVING TOWARD SAFE
STAFFING AND WE'RE STILL
DIGESTING THAT, BUT IT LOOKS
LIKE AT LEAST FOR NURSING HOMES,
(23:56):
I THINK THEY'VE ELIMINATED SAFE
STAFFING STANDARDS.
>> STATE LAWMAKERS WILL
CERTAINLY HAVE A LOT TO DISCUSS
IN THIS OFF-SESSION TIME AHEAD
OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
THE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE BILLS
HAVEN'T BEEN DELIVERED TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK YET AND AT THIS
POINT, IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THAT
WILL HAPPEN.
ONCE THEY ARE DELIVERED TO THE
GOVERNOR'S DESK, SHE WILL HAVE
ABOUT 30 DAYS TO REVIEW THEM.
(24:17):
ELISE KLINE, "NEW YORK NOW."
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>> AND FOR MORE ON WORKFORCE
PROTECTIONS FOR NURSES IN THE
STATE, YOU CAN VISIT OUR
WEBSITE.
AGAIN, THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.
NOW TURNING TO OUR LAST TOPIC.
THIS WEEK FORMER GOVERNOR ANDREW
CUOMO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HIS
(24:38):
DECISION TO RUN IN THE GENERAL
ELECTION FOR NEW YORK CITY
MAYOR.
THE MOVE COMES ABOUT A MONTH
AFTER THE FORMER GOVERNOR LOST
THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR MAYOR
TO ASSEMBLY MEMBER ZOHRAN
MAMDANI.
>> I AM TRULY SORRY THAT I LET
YOU DOWN, BUT AS MY GRANDFATHER
USED TO SAY, WHEN YOU GET
KNOCKED DOWN, LEARN THE LESSON
(24:59):
AND PICK YOURSELF BACK UP AND
GET IN THE GAME, AND THAT IS
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.
THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR CITY ISN'T
OVER.
ONLY 13% OF NEW YORKERS VOTED IN
THE JUNE PRIMARY.
THE GENERAL ELECTION IS IN
NOVEMBER AND I AM IN IT TO WIN
IT.
EVERY DAY I'M GOING TO BE
HITTING THE STREETS, MEETING YOU
WHERE YOU ARE, TO HEAR THE GOOD
(25:21):
AND THE BAD, PROBLEMS AND
SOLUTIONS.
BECAUSE FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS
IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY TO EARN
YOUR VOTE.
>> AS WE DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW,
THE FORMER GOVERNOR HAS BEEN
TRYING TO LAUNCH A POLITICAL
COMEBACK AFTER RESIGNING AS
GOVERNOR IN 2021, AMIDST SEXUAL
HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS.
(25:42):
THE FORMER GOVERNOR WILL BE
GOING UP AGAINST MAMDANI,
INCUMBENT MAYOR ERIC ADAMS,
INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE
CURTIS SLIWA, AND INDEPENDENT
CANDIDATE JIM WALDEN.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRING YOU
UPDATES ON THIS RACE IN THE
COMING WEEKS LEADING UP TO
ELECTION DAY.
YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR
NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
(26:05):
BY GOING TO NEWSLETTER.NYNOW.ORG
OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE ON
YOUR SCREEN.
WELL, THAT DOES IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."
THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE
YOU NEXT WEEK.
[ THEME MUSIC ]
>>ANNOUNCER (26:42):
FUNDING FOR "NEW
YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.
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