Lance's Corner

NYSDOH Issues Funding to Expand Physician Diversity

Jul 17, 2024

Per the notice below, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has issued more funding to expand diversity in the physician workforce.

New York State Department of Health Announces Additional Funding to Continue Efforts to Improve and Expand Physician Diversity

State Investing $4.89 Million This Year to Support 18 Programs and Scholarships That Cover Full Cost of a Year's Tuition

Programs and Scholarships Managed by Associated Medical Schools of New York

The New York State Department of Health today announced this year's $4.89 Million investment in Diversity in Medicine programs to support 950 students in 18 programs across New York State.  The programs help students become physicians, improve access to care, and eliminate health disparities.  Additionally, the state is supporting medical school scholarships for 23 students covering state tuition for a year.

"This investment in the Diversity in Medicine Program continues to highlight the State's commitment to eliminating health disparities, expanding access to health care services and ensuring the medical profession reflects the rich diversity of New York's communities, all of which are critical components to ensuring better health outcomes for all New Yorkers," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.  "This program helps those with professional medical aspirations to continue their education in graduate and medical school, to prepare for and remain in those programs and to help financially support education.  Ultimately, these scholarships assist with building diversity within the healthcare workforce."

"For nearly three decades we have partnered with the New York State Department of Health to offer pathways to medical school for students who have demonstrated their commitments to improving health disparities and/or practicing medicine in underserved communities," Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) President and CEO Jonathan Teyan said.  "The increased state funding allows us to expand the breadth of these pathways to medicine and support more students across New York."

Research has shown that when patients are cared for by physicians with shared backgrounds and shared languages, it fosters greater trust and communication, resulting in improved access to care, adherence to clinical recommendations, treatment, and follow-up care.

"The Diversity in Medicine Program is crucial to providing aspiring physicians a chance to pursue their dreams of a career in medicine and ensuring that our health care system is inclusive and equitable," Albert Einstein College of Medicine Dean Dr. Yaron Tomer said.  "Albert Einstein College of Medicine is proud to be a part of a program that is making a tangible impact on the future of medicine, and we are grateful for the continued support from Governor Hochul and the State of New York."

"Programs like the Bronx Community Health Leaders Program are critical to building a sustainable pathway to health care careers for people in our borough and across the state," Albert Einstein College of Medicine Associate Professor Dr. Juan Robles said.  "The impact extends beyond the individual students who participate.  They have the potential to elevate their families and communities, making for a brighter and healthier Bronx and New York."

"The commitment of the State Department of Health to supporting pathway programs sends an important message to our young people from underrepresented backgrounds that a career in medicine is within their reach," President Emeritus and co-visionary of Mentoring in Medicine Dr. Lynne Holden said.  "At Einstein and Mentoring in Medicine, this support has bolstered our efforts, allowing us to help more students and make a profound impact on the profession and thousands of lives."

"I am more than just proud to support the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine programs," Senator Jamaal Bailey said.  "Since being elected to the Senate, I have been a staunch advocate for this program as it makes a major difference in our communities.  I believe that advocacy for these initiatives helps to create a future where students can be part of a supportive community conducive to learning and growth - and provide medical services to communities that customarily do not see doctors who look like them."

"The Assembly Majority remains committed to taking all necessary steps to reduce healthcare disparity and better patient outcomes across the state," New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said.  "But the first step in transforming the healthcare landscape of our underserved communities is supporting the young men and women ready to help.  This funding will ensure more students than ever, from all walks of life, can achieve their dreams of attending medical school without cost concerns."

"Diversity in our medical field allows patients access to care by familiar faces, which is known to have positive outcomes not just in patient-provider relationships and trust, but also in health outcomes," Assemblymember Michael Benedetto said.  "I applaud the Governor's funding of these programs and for strengthening our medical workforce."

Diversity in Medicine Programs are managed by the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY) to increase equitable representation in health professions.

AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Program Awardees 2024-2025 include:

  • Bronx Community Health Leaders Program - Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Mentoring in Medicine After School Program - Mentoring in Medicine, Inc
  • Expanding the Bridge to Medical School - Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Bridge to Clerkship Program - CUNY School of Medicine
  • Supporting, Educating and Enriching Diversity (SEED) Mentoring Program - NYU Grossman School of Medicine
  • Expanded Stony Brook Underrepresented Pre-Med Scholars (eSUPREMES) Program - Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
  • Public Health Scholars Program - Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • Distinguishing Docs Program - Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University
  • Fortifying the Pipeline of Historically Disadvantaged Students to Enhance Medical School Recruitment and Retention Program - New York Medical College
  • Next-Gen Leaders of Surgical Health Outcomes Research - School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center
  • Office of Equity of Inclusion Program - School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center

The state funding also supports five post baccalaureate and master's programs and pipeline programs at City College of New York and the City University of New York.  The AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Scholarship will award 23 students in the coming school year.  The scholarship covers state tuition for a year, reducing financial barriers to attending medical school.  Recipients must commit to working in underserved areas in New York State upon completion of their medical education.  AMSNY launched its first Diversity in Medicine Pathway Programs in 1985 and the State Health Department has provided funding for these programs since 2002.  More than 700 practicing physicians have graduated from the AMSNY Diversity in Medicine Programs, many of whom stay and practice in New York State.

USDOL Issues Comprehensive Employer Guidance on Long COVID

The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) has issued a comprehensive set of resources that can be accessed below for employers on dealing with Long COVID.

Supporting Employees with Long COVID: A Guide for Employers

The “Supporting Employees with Long COVID” guide from the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) and Job Accommodation Network (JAN) addresses the basics of Long COVID, including its intersection with mental health, and common workplace supports for different symptoms.  It also explores employers’ responsibilities to provide reasonable accommodations and answers frequently asked questions about Long COVID and employment, including inquiries related to telework and leave.

Download the guide

Accommodation and Compliance: Long COVID

The Long COVID Accommodation and Compliance webpage from the USDOL-funded Job Accommodation Network (JAN) helps employers and employees understand strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID.  Topics include Long COVID in the context of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), specific accommodation ideas based on limitations or work-related functions, common situations and solutions, and questions to consider when identifying effective accommodations for employees with Long COVID.  Find this and other Long COVID resources from JAN, below:

Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities: Recommendations for Employers

The research-to-practice brief “Long COVID, Disability and Underserved Communities” synthesizes an extensive review of documents, literature and data sources, conducted by the USDOL-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion (EARN) on the impact of Long COVID on employment, with a focus on demographic differences.  It also outlines recommended actions organizations can take to create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture for people with Long COVID, especially those with disabilities who belong to other historically underserved groups.

Read the brief

Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace

The policy brief “Long COVID and Disability Accommodations in the Workplace” explores Long COVID’s impact on the workforce and provides examples of policy actions different states are taking to help affected people remain at work or return when ready.  It was developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) as part of its involvement in USDOL’s State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED) initiative.

Download the policy brief

Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID

The report “Understanding and Addressing the Workplace Challenges Related to Long COVID” summarizes key themes and takeaways from an ePolicyWorks national online dialogue through which members of the public were invited to share their experiences and insights regarding workplace challenges posed by Long COVID.  The dialogue took place during summer 2022 and was hosted by USDOL and its agencies in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General.

Download the report

Working with Long COVID

The USDOL-published “Working with Long COVID” fact sheet shares strategies for supporting workers with Long COVID, including accommodations for common symptoms and resources for further guidance and assistance with specific situations.

Download the fact sheet

COVID-19: Long-Term Symptoms

This USDOL motion graphic informs workers with Long COVID that they may be entitled to temporary or long-term supports to help them stay on the job or return to work when ready, and shares where they can find related assistance.

Watch the motion graphic

A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure

In the podcast “A Personal Story of Long COVID and Disability Disclosure,” Pam Bingham, senior program manager for Intuit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Tech team, shares her personal experience of navigating Long COVID symptoms at work.  The segment was produced by the USDOL-funded Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) as part of its ongoing “Future of Work” podcast series.

Listen to the podcast

HHS OIG Issues Annual Report on State MFCUs

Per the notice below, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued its annual report on the performance of state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs).

Medicaid Fraud Control Units Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report (OEI-09-24-00200) 

Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect. OIG is the Federal agency that oversees and annually approves federal funding for MFCUs through a recertification process. This new report analyzed the statistical data on annual case outcomes—such as convictions, civil settlements and judgments, and recoveries—that the 53 MFCUs submitted for Fiscal Year 2023.  New York data is as follows:

Outcomes

  • Investigations1 - 556
  • Indicted/Charged - 9
  • Convictions - 8
  • Civil Settlements/Judgments - 28
  • Recoveries2 - $73,204,518

Resources

  • MFCU Expenditures3 - $55,964,293
  • Staff on Board4 - 257

1Investigations are defined as the total number of open investigations at the end of the fiscal year.

2Recoveries are defined as the amount of money that defendants are required to pay as a result of a settlement, judgment, or prefiling settlement in criminal and civil cases and may not reflect actual collections.  Recoveries may involve cases that include participation by other Federal and State agencies.

3MFCU and Medicaid Expenditures include both State and Federal expenditures.

4Staff on Board is defined as the total number of staff employed by the Unit at the end of the fiscal year.

Read the Full Report

View the Statistical Chart

Engage with the Interactive Map

GAO Issues Report on Medicaid Managed Care Service Denials and Appeal Outcomes

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes.  GAO found that federal oversight is limited because it doesn't require states to report on Medicaid managed care service denials or appeal outcomes and there has not been much progress on plans to analyze and make the data publicly available.  To read the GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the first link below.  To read GAO highlights of the report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes, use the second link below.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627.pdf  (GAO report on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)
https://www.gao.gov/assets/d24106627_high.pdf  (GAO highlights on federal use of state data on Medicaid managed care service denials and appeal outcomes)

CMS Issues Latest Medicare Regulatory Activities Update

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its latest update on its regulatory activities in the Medicare program.  While dentistry is only minimally connected to the Medicare program, Medicare drives the majority of health care policies and insurance reimbursement policies throughout the country.  Therefore, it always pays to keep a close eye on what CMS is doing in Medicare.  To read the latest CMS update on its regulatory activities in Medicare, use the link below.
https://www.cms.gov/training-education/medicare-learning-network/newsletter/2024-03-14-mlnc