Healthfirst Co-hosts Healthcare Forum At Harlem Hospital Center

July 28, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NY, July 26, 2010 – Healthfirst, Harlem Hospital Center, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce’s HARLEM WEEK Event and WWRL Radio hosted a Healthcare Forum at Harlem Hospital Center on Saturday, July 24, to discuss a broad range of healthcare topics affecting Harlem and surrounding communities.

A networking and introductory breakfast was held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Honorable U.S. Congressman, Charles B. Rangel officially opened the forum at 11:00 a.m. with an overview of President Obama’s “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” healthcare reform bill. Forum panelists were asked to answer some tough questions about healthcare and explain how the community will be affected by future changes.

Panelists on the forum included:

• Pat Wang, J.D. – President, Healthfirst
• John M. Palmer, Ph.D. – Executive Director, Harlem Hospital Center and the Renaissance Health Care Network
• LaRay Brown – Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning, Community Health and Intergovernmental Relations, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation
• Neil Calman, M.D. – President and CEO, Family Health Center at North General
• Patricia A. Ricketts – Vice President of Programs, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce
• Judy Wessler – Director, Commission on the Public’s Health System
• Charles W. Shorter – Director, Thelma C. Davidson Adair/ William F. Ryan Community Health Center

Mark Riley, a well-known WWRL 1600 AM radio personality moderated the discussion, which delved into healthcare on a national and local level. Panelists tackled questions about how the new reform will affect the community, as well as how the public, hospitals, doctors and health organizations will have to adapt.

“There are many details about how healthcare reform will work that we don’t yet know,” said Pat Wang, President, Healthfirst. “But we are very committed to working with all of the stakeholders to make sure that reform results in better healthcare for the communities we serve. To that end, we want to hear people’s feedback, concerns and questions. Their needs will shape how we, as a health plan, adapt our products to comply with new regulations and ensure that our members’ health remains our number one priority.”

Following the panel discussion, the general public had the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists and receive candid and immediate answers.

“In today’s evolution of healthcare, it is important that we strengthen our partnerships to ensure the health of the Harlem community,” said John M. Palmer, Ph.D., Executive Director of Harlem Hospital Center. “While we must recognize the impact the changes have on the individual, we must remain focused and united for the ultimate goals, a healthier Harlem.”

The hope is that this forum was a proactive way to help to inform the community, as well as build communication and support as we all begin to prepare for the reform changes and challenges ahead.

About Healthfirst
Established in 1993, Healthfirst is a not-for-profit managed care organization that provides high-quality healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families living in New York. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of underserved populations by providing effective managed care services through comprehensive provider partnerships and reinvesting in our hospitals. Healthfirst offers a variety of government-sponsored health insurance programs, including New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, Medicaid, and Medicare. The Healthfirst family of companies includes Healthfirst in New York, Healthfirst NJ in New Jersey and HF Management Services, which provides comprehensive administrative services to healthcare organizations in New York and New Jersey. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.healthfirstny.org.

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Healthfirst is a not-for-profit managed care organization that provides high-quality healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families living in New York.