Did you know there are over 200 languages spoken in New York City? New York City is truly a melting pot, and the vast diversity of backgrounds and cultures makes this city great.
Many words have and continue to be written about the migrant crisis here. As of October, the city said that more than 126,700 asylum seekers have arrived since last spring, and more than 64,100 migrants are currently in the city’s care at emergency sites. While we should do everything we can to keep them safe and get them on their feet, there’s no denying doing so is a challenging task.
Recently, New York City engaged DocGo to help provide care to asylum seekers. DocGo, whose goal is to disrupt the broken U.S. healthcare system through a proactive care delivery model, is a leading provider of technology-enabled healthcare solutions. They have demonstrated logistical expertise and the ability to launch and rapidly scale population health programs for governments, mobile healthcare offerings to keep patients at home rather than the hospital, medical transportation, and additional solutions to increase access and improve patient outcomes.
New York State recently published its findings detailing information about a program where DocGo provides services to asylum seekers who have been located to emergency sites in Upstate communities on behalf of NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Albany’s WTEN received this seven-page report, which consisted of findings from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), elaborating on HPD’s program and how DocGo’s contracted services are meeting the immigrants’ needs, contrary to prior allegations.
The Report
The report states that during a series of unannounced visits to every upstate location, Spanish-speaking OTDA inspectors interviewed asylum seekers to ensure they felt safe. These residents did not express any safety concerns and clearly stated that they didn’t feel intimidated in the hotels they were staying. Additionally, the report confirmed that the hotels were clean, and that residents have access to food, transportation, case management, and medical services at all sites.
Once again, managing the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers is no easy feat. DocGo, too, would likely acknowledge there is room to improve care delivery. But the state, the city, and the various partner organizations must avoid getting into political squabbles that distract from what is truly important here: Giving these migrants who gave up everything in search of a better life in America just that.