Proposed Res. No. 806-A Title Resolution calling upon Governor George Pataki to withdraw a Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposal to amend Article VI of the Public Health Law to limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities; and further calling upon the New York State Legislature to reject all Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposals which limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities. Body By Council Members Quinn and The Speaker (Council Member Miller) and Council Members Lopez, Weprin, Baez, Brewer, Comrie, Davis, Dilan, Fidler, Foster, Gerson, Jackson, Liu, McMahon, Monserrate, Perkins, Rivera, Sanders, Sears, Serrano and The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum) Whereas, Article VI of the New York State Public Health Law provides for state aid to cities and counties for eligible public health services rendered by such cities and counties, such as family health, disease control, health education and guidance, community health assessment and environmental health services; and Whereas, Article VI funds (commonly referred to as "State matching funds") are essential to New York City's ability to finance basic public health services; and Whereas, The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) utilizes Article VI funding to support numerous indispensable public health services, such as HIV/AIDS prevention, infant mortality outreach and education, child health clinic operation, immunization administration, sexually transmitted disease diagnosis and treatment services, tuberculosis treatment and prevention, day care inspection, pest control, radiation safety, poison control services and dental care services; and Whereas, The majority of services offered by DOHMH and financed by State matching funds, including HIV/AIDS prevention, child health clinics and asthma and infant mortality reduction, are particularly vital to groups traditionally lacking access to health care services, including communities of color, immigrants and the working poor; and Whereas, In addition to ongoing public health hazards, New York City continually faces new public health threats, including bioterrorism, outbreak of disease, and emerging chronic diseases, threats the City is financially unequipped to independently address; and Whereas, Governor George Pataki's State budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2003-2004 includes amendments to Article VI of the Public Health Law, which would reduce State matching funds from 36 percent to 30 percent and in some cases eliminate State matching funds altogether, substantially limit the type of public health programs eligible for State matching funds and place a cap on the total dollar amount which cities and counties could receive in State matching funds; and Whereas, Governor Pataki's Article VI amendment proposal would be retroactive to January 1, 2003; and Whereas, DOHMH estimates that, if Governor Pataki's Article VI proposal is enacted, the cost to New York City will be $50 million for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2003 and the entirety of Fiscal Year 2004, and at least $35 million in subsequent fiscal years, representing a 30% reduction in New York State funding for public health programs in New York City; and Whereas, The Governor's proposal would eliminate all State matching funds for poison control, radiation safety, day care inspections and dental clinics, services and activities that are critical to preserving and protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers; Whereas, Governor Pataki's Article VI proposal would also impact the Early Intervention Program, which identifies and assists children ages 0-2 with developmental disabilities or delays and is supported by Article VI state matching funds; and Whereas, Governor Pataki's proposal would immediately and substantially limit DOHMH's ability to offer all services financed with State matching funds, and therefore have an immediate impact on the level of care provided to the neediest New Yorkers; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Governor George Pataki to withdraw a Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposal to amend Article VI of the Public Health Law to limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities; and be it further Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon New York State Legislature to reject all Fiscal Year 2003-2004 budget proposals which limit state matching funds received by cities and counties for eligible public health activities. LS#2230 JM 4/30/2003