New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has unveiled a $100 million plan that he said would guarantee primary and specialty care to 600,000 uninsured residents, including undocumented immigrants.
Five things to know:
1. The mayor's office said Jan. 8 that the city seeks to "better connect people to more effective and affordable healthcare" through two programs, NYC Care, for those city residents ineligible for health insurance, and the city's public health insurance option, MetroPlus.
2. NYC Care will guarantee that all residents, including undocumented immigrants and low-income residents, have direct access to NYC Health + Hospitals' physicians, pharmacies and mental health and substance abuse services, the mayor's office said. The program will be priced on a sliding scale.
3. NYC Care will provide a primary care physician, as well as access to various other healthcare services, the mayor's office said. It is slated to launch this summer in the Bronx and will be fully available to all New Yorkers in the city's five boroughs in 2021. The program is projected to cost the city at least $100 million annually at full scale.
4. In connection with NYC Care, the city will bolster efforts to increase enrollment in MetroPlus, the mayor's office said. The office said the city will also work to improve the quality of the MetroPlus customer experience "through improved access to clinical care, mental health services, and wellness rewards for healthy behavior."
5. Mr. de Blasio's office said both programs will include call lines to help New Yorkers schedule medical appointments, and residents through the programs will be able to access addiction services and opioid treatment, mental health counseling, and counseling services for trauma victims.
Read more about New York City's healthcare plan here.