03/13/2026
Thank you to our outstanding employee unions, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and UFT - United Federation of Teachers (Federation of Nurses), for stepping up at a critical moment and calling on New York State lawmakers to act now.
We urgently need high acuity MLTC plan rates fixed to protect the VNS Health nurses, home health aides, and other dedicated workers who care for more than 95,000 New Yorkers in their homes and communities on any given day. Their advocacy highlights how vital this workforce is and why immediate action is essential.
From 1199SEIU:
“The fact that plans serving a higher-acuity population are in financial jeopardy, and two have gone out of business, is an indication of the failures of our current home care system. We urge the Legislature to support this short-term action to stabilize a quality plan while pursuing structural reform of the program.”
From UFT President Michael Mulgrew and Federation of Nurses VP Anne Goldman:
“New York has made clear that caring for seniors and people with disabilities in their homes is a priority. That goal requires stable providers and a strong workforce. Ensuring that VNS Health can continue serving the highest-need patients while maintaining good union jobs should be part of that commitment.”
Their message is clear: Albany must act now to fix these rates in the budget and protect the workers and plans caring for New York’s highest-need patients
