Health Equity

I believe every human from infancy to elderhood, should have equitable access to affordable, high-quality health care free from discrimination. As COVID-19 has proven, we must address the disparate health outcomes for Black and Brown communities by ensuring the Race for Justice framework adopted by the Center for Health Equity is being used in all healthcare facilities, including clinics and nursing homes, to eradicate institutional racism.

My top priorities related to health are: reproductive, justice, school-based health clinics, healthy aging programming and access to fresh and affordable food. Too many women of color have died delivering their babies. More legislation is required to achieve reproductive justice such as expanding funding for Doula training and allowing for medicaid reimbursement for their services. We must also provide funding for every school to have a clinic with a qualified provider to provide health and wellness programming to students.

As Chair of the Age Friendly Neighborhood Initiative for the last seven years, I've worked with the New York Academy of Medicine, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, small businesses and other local stakeholders to ensure healthy aging by addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, social, environmental, vocational needs of older adults age 62 years and older and I look forward to continuing to support this work in the NYS Assembly.

As a farmer and urban gardener, I would like to work with the agricultural committee to ensure that our community based farms receive financial support in their efforts to grow fresh and affordable food for our community, as well as technical assistance that supports urban agriculture. I will work to ensure that recently passed bills like the $1 million, Agri-Business Child Development fund, Young Farmer Apprentice Program (S3873), New York Farm School and School Garden Fund (S3804A), Farming Hotline (S4655) and $400,000 in funding for mental health services for farmers and their families.

These priorities are not possible unless we also address the social determinants of health, which include factors socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care.

Health Equity

  • Lead sponsor on Community Health Centers of NYCHA

  • Investing in mental health emergencies

  • Investing in emerging healthcare careers

  • Support training more mental health first aid workers