New York State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett has made efforts to tackle the top functions of the expanding agency, appointing a chief medical officer and reorienting officials to address health equity and long-term care.
The state Department of Health, long considered the nation’s golden public health department, has revamped its hiring processes to bring in new talent and streamline public health, insurance and regulatory functions.
It all comes as New York public health officials continue to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and new challenges, including a monkey outbreak in the state and the first case of polio found in the United States in years. But Bassett’s effort, which was tapped for the role last fall, is meant to tackle even broader issues for the New Yorker.
“Public health touches every aspect of our lives,” he said. “Our new organizational focus and leadership team structure will better position the Department to shape our priorities and delivery systems to improve health access and outcomes for all New Yorkers. The Department’s scope expands beyond traditional public health and into health care delivery organizations and health care providers. it includes a regulatory role for insurance programs that provide coverage to more than one-third of New Yorkers. During my time as commissioner, I plan to do everything possible to fulfill our mandate. New Yorkers deserve no less.”
The Department of Health is New York’s largest cabinet-level office and oversees the state’s vast bureaucracy and public health functions. State health officials under the Cuomo administration remained in control during the pandemic.
A former state health official who spoke with investigators from the New York attorney general’s office said the Cuomo administration sought to micromanage the public health crisis by making unreasonable demands on staff and preventing them from working with fellow New Yorkers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who appointed Bassett last year, has also taken the first steps to overhaul New York’s handling of the pandemic, including controversial policies at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
But according to Bassett, the organizational effort is about the future and is looking ahead to the next three years for the department.
Bassett’s plans for the department include creating an Office of Health Equity and Human Rights to address diversity, equity and inclusion in the department. It will be complemented by the existing Offices for Minority Health and Prevention of Health Disparities and Language Access, and the AIDS Institute and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Bassett is also establishing the Office of Aging and Long-Term Care, which will develop policies and programs to support New Yorkers with disabilities who need long-term supports and services.
