“In more than 40 years in hospital administration, including many years in Human Resources, I can testify to the great support given through the employment of healthcare workers from many nations. A vital and significant portion of that support has come from those who have emigrated from Haiti. Following training and licensing in the United States Haitian immigrants, through their devoted efforts and dedicated service, have greatly helped fill gaps and reduce staffing shortages that would otherwise have hindered hospitals’ abilities to provide care. There is no doubt that extension of protective status allows for continued quality and safe staffing in acute care and extended care facilities," said Anthony C. Ferreri, Presidential appointee as Regional Director of the United States Department of Health and Human Services during President Donald Trump’s first term and former President and CEO of Staten Island University Hospital and Executive Vice President of Northwell Health. “Forcing people with temporary status who are working and filling an economic need to go back to their country will have a devastating effect on our business. The fact is, it is difficult to hire people who want to clean guest rooms, wash dishes, clean pots, landscape our properties and prep food for our kitchens. we need the immigrants to run our businesses. Our grandparents were immigrants, which became the foundation for our success. These people just want to work hard and fulfill the American dream," said Richard and Lois Nicotra, owners of Staten Island’s Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn Hotels. “Our nursing homes are already facing a historic labor crisis, and the failure to extend TPS is making it impossible for providers like ArchCare to retain staff. ArchCare alone has lost more than 15 qualified caregivers on Staten Island recently—not because these workers don't want to serve, but because their status was allowed to lapse. We need an immediate resolution to stop this bleeding of talent before patient care is further compromised,” said Scott LaRue President & CEO of ArchCare, which operates in the district including Carmel Richmond Nursing Home and Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. "The Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc. located in Staten Island, New York, and similar community health centers throughout New York State and the country, face ongoing workforce challenges in the midst of growing demand for quality primary health care services. Many of our sites are located in Health Professional Shortage Areas and as a result all efforts are needed to ensure that we stop the loss of dedicated health care workers. Therefore, we support the extension of TPS policies as an initial step to a permanent solution to this longstanding issue," said Dr. Henry Thompson, CEO for the Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc. “We thank Representative Malliotakis for her leadership in supporting the extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, which is vital to helping restaurants meet their workforce needs, strengthening the local economy, and enabling individuals to build better lives. Policies that bolster our economy and support small businesses should bring people together across party lines,” said Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance. “The Healthcare Association of New York State thanks Rep. Nicole Malliotakis for her vote yesterday in support of House legislation that would restore Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, many of whom serve within New York’s hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings. We appreciate Rep. Malliotakis’ leadership and recognition that, during a time when we are facing a severe healthcare workforce shortage, we must protect pathways that fill essential caregiver roles and preserve patient access to care," said HANYS President Bea Grause, RN, JD. “Over several years, New Millenium has had a vast amount of experience in training nurses aides and home health aides from Haiti who went on to be licensed by NYS and become gainfully employed in hospitals and nursing homes. New Millenium Home Care has, itself, employed many of its Haitian graduates who have gone on to provide skilled and compassionate care through its home care agency. Their continued support is greatly needed throughout the healthcare industry," said Arthur Lauder, President of the New Millenium Training Center. "A significant portion of the home care workforce is made up of home health attendants who rely on TPS status. When these workers are pushed out of the system, the ripple effect is immediate and devastating. Agencies lose staff. Families lose support. And statewide, thousands of individuals will be left with no option but nursing home placement. Most of these families have not had to prepare for a sudden loss of services. The disruption will create enormous strain on families, estates, and caregivers who are already facing maximum pressure. People who have expressed a clear desire to live out their final years at home, in dignity and peace, will have that choice taken away permanently. This workforce shortage is not just an operational problem. It is a human crisis with consequences that will be felt across New York for years to come and that affect human rights, dignity and freedom of choice," said ACT Cares Foundation Administrator Ann Selfridge, whose organization supports caregivers and families across the district by expanding access to resources and strengthening community-based care. "This legislation is both compassionate and practical. Haitian immigrants are an essential part of our communities and workforce, particularly in critical healthcare and caregiving sectors. Many serve as deeply dedicated home health aides, hospital staff, and caregivers who provide indispensable support to our elderly, vulnerable, and medically complex populations. At a time when healthcare systems continue to face workforce shortages, the loss of these workers would have serious and immediate consequences. Hospitals, long-term care settings, rehabilitation centers, and home-based care programs rely heavily on Haitian professionals who bring extraordinary commitment to patient care," said Claudette Duff, CEO of Integrity Senior Services, which specializes in at home treatment of older adults, caregivers, and the disabled throughout the district. |
