The Governor announced the launch of the Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus program. Enacted in the Fiscal Year 2023 New York State Budget, the program includes $1.3 billion allocated for the payment of recruitment and retention bonuses to certain health care and mental hygiene workers. Bonuses will be awarded to eligible workers who make less than $125,000 annually and remain in their positions for at least six months. Disbursements will be commensurate with the number of hours worked and duration of service within designated vesting periods for up to a total of $3,000 per employee.

Qualified Employers

Employers eligible for HWB program funding include providers participating in Medicaid with at least one employee, and other providers, facilities, pharmacies and school-based health centers licensed under the state Public Health Law, Mental Hygiene Law, and Education Law, as well as certain programs funded by the Office of Mental Health, Office for the Aging, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, and the Office of Children and Family Services.

Eligible Employees

Employees eligible for HWB payments provide hands-on health care services and can include certain front line health care and mental hygiene practitioners, technicians, assistants, support staff and aides. They must be receiving an annualized base salary (excluding any bonuses or overtime pay) of $125,000 or less, and can be full-time, part-time, or temporary. State employees who meet the eligibility requirements for the program will also be eligible to receive the bonus payments.

Vesting Periods

Bonuses for employees will be determined by specific “vesting periods,” or hours worked during a consecutive six-month period between October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024.

Qualified employees who work:

• At least 20 hours but no more than 30 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $500.
• At least 30 hours but no more than 35 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $1,000.
• At least 35 hours per week are eligible for a bonus of $1,500.

A qualified employee can receive up to a maximum of $3,000 in total bonus payments over two vesting periods. Employees may not receive bonuses if they have ever been suspended or excluded from the Medicaid program, and must be enrolled in the HWB program by their employer, who are mandated to award HWB funds no later than 30 days after a worker’s eligibility for a bonus has vested.

Governor Hochul said:

Governor Declares State Disaster Emergency in Response to Monkeypox Outbreak

The Governor issued an Executive Order declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak. The Executive Order specifically extends the pool of eligible individuals who can administer monkeypox vaccines, including EMS personnel, pharmacists and midwives; allows physicians and certified nurse practitioners to issue non patient specific standing orders for vaccines; and requires providers to send vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health.

Governor Hochul said:

DOH Announces Reorganization and Emphasis on Health Equity, Aging & Emergency Preparedness

The Department of Health announced new efforts to better promote and protect the public health which will include a reorganization and an emphasis on health equity, aging & emergency preparedness. A strategic planning effort will be led by Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett focused on optimizing the Department’s talent, workflow and collaboration, the integration of new systems, and increasing diversity as part of its overall mission.

The main changes include:

Creating a new Office of Health Equity & Human Rights

This office will address health disparities and work to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within the Department. It will be comprised of the current offices of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention and Language Access, the AIDS Institute, and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The new Office of Health Equity & Human Rights will be led by Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne.

Creating a new Office of Aging & Long Term Care

This office will develop policies and programs to meet the needs of older New Yorkers and people with disabilities who require long term care services and support. It will be led by Adam Herbst, Deputy Commissioner on Aging & Long Term Care and work collaboratively with the Office of Health Insurance Programs, the Office of Primary Care and Health Systems Management, and the NYS Office for the Aging to coordinate Department activities related to aging New Yorkers. The Office will be responsible for long-term care functions related to licensure, facility surveys, data collection, and policies and analysis. In addition, it will help develop and execute the State Master Plan on Aging to improve the recruitment, retention, and training of long-term care workers, and improve the quality of long-term care.

Establishing a Chief Medical Officer

Dr. Eugene Heslin will provide medical and clinical expertise to all senior leadership and various Department staff. Dr. Heslin has over 30 years in the field of medicine and is an expert in health care leadership, policy development and operational management centered on improved patient outcomes.

Creating a new Commissioner’s Cabinet

It will be comprised of policy and health experts who will report directly to and serve as advisors to State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett on important issues as they develop programs and new policies throughout the Department that aim to protect, improve, and promote the health of New Yorkers.

The Executive Cabinet members are:

• Laura Mascuch, Chief of Staff;
• Kristin Proud, Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner;
• Ursula Bauer, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health;
• Eugene Heslin, First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer;
• Sam Miller, Associate Commissioner for External Affairs;
• Kathy Marks, General Counsel;
• Amir Bassiri, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Health Insurance Programs and Acting Medicaid Director;
• Adam Herbst, Deputy Commissioner Aging & Long Term Care;
• John Morley, Deputy Commissioner of Primary Care and Health Systems Management;
• Johanne Morne, Deputy Commissioner Health Equity and Human Rights;
• Diane Christensen, Deputy Commissioner Administration;
• Danielle Holahan, Executive Director, NY State of Health;
• Megan Baldwin, Senior Advisor;
• Paul Francis, Senior Advisor; and
• Sandra Mullin, Senior Advisor

Strengthening the Regional Offices

There will also be a concerted effort to make sure our regional offices are more integrated into public health policy making and that they prioritize the needs of local health departments. Regional Offices will now be a part of the Office of Public Health, which will strengthen the voice of local perspectives in our policy making and streamline local policy and program implementation.

Civil Service Employees Association Reaches Labor Agreement with the State

CSEA (Civil Service Employees Association), which includes over 52,000 New York State employees in a wide variety of roles, announced the ratification of a five-year labor agreement with the State. The agreement, which runs until April 1, 2026, won the approval of more than 80 percent of CSEA members who cast ballots. The ratified contract includes raises in each year of the agreement of 2% for the first two years and 3% for the remaining three years. In addition, the contract includes other increases in compensation such as a one-time lump sum bonus of $3,000 and changes in longevity as a result of changes in the health insurance program that will encourage in-network employee utilization and help control health insurance costs. The contract also includes funding of labor-management committees.

Civil Service Employees Association President Mary E. Sullivan said: