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NewsNews

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2015 

HHC Lincoln Medical Center Helps More Than 30,000 City Residents Apply for IDNYC at Bronx’s Largest Enrollment Office

IDNYC cardholders gain access to benefits that help keep New York families healthy

(Bronx, NY) - New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) President Dr. Ram Raju was joined by Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and elected officials to encourage residents of the South Bronx to sign up for an IDNYC at HHC Lincoln Medical Center’s enrollment center in order to take advantage of the wide array of health benefits associated with the card. Since opening in April 2015, more than 30,000 New York City residents have applied for an IDNYC at HHC Lincoln’s enrollment center, which is the largest and most active in the Bronx and the only hospital-based center in the city.

IDNYC is a government-issued identification card available to all New York City residents 14 and older, with proof of identity and residency. The IDNYC municipal ID card is available to eligible New Yorkers regardless of their immigration status, race, gender, or sexual orientation. The IDNYC card makes government work more effective and efficient for New Yorkers by expanding access to the services, programs and opportunities available to city residents. The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is pleased to announce that 500,000 New Yorkers have now enrolled for an IDNYC, already the largest municipal identification program in the country.

“HHC is very proud to be the main provider of healthcare to the city’s immigrant community, and we’re glad to support programs that empower our patients and give them access to the full benefits other New Yorkers already enjoy,” said HHC President Dr. Ram Raju. “We have always strived to create healthcare equity in New York City and IDNYC is another step toward eliminating the wall between the ‘two cities’ that Mayor de Blasio correctly emphasizes in his administration. We share his goal and welcome all Bronx residents to Lincoln to sign up for IDNYC.”

Although IDNYC is not required to access services at HHC facilities, an IDNYC card may allow cardholders to:

  • Access BigAppleRx for discounts on prescription medications at more than 2,000 New York City pharmacies;
  • Receive discounts at health and fitness centers, including memberships to YMCA centers and NYC Parks Recreation Centers;
  • Apply for benefits through NYC Human Resources Administration’s HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA);
  • Register to be an organ donor;
  • Apply for health insurance through the New York State of Health Marketplace;
  • Access vital health records such as birth and death certificates through the Department of Health;

“With an IDNYC card in hand, Bronxites can access a wide array of benefits, such as free cultural memberships to the city’s premier museums, the ability to more easily open a bank account, and organ donor registration. But now Bronxites can use their IDNYC cards for a broader range of health benefits than ever before – including registration for healthcare in the New York State marketplace, discounts at fitness clubs, easy access to health records, and much more. Health access is of vital importance for everyone, and with an IDNYC card, it just got easier,” said Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

“I have an IDNYC card and you should get one too,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The program has been of great benefit to The Bronx and New York City. The IDNYC program allows for residents to gain a much-needed legal identification recognized as a valid form of ID as well as giving New Yorkers access to many great city programs such as discounts on prescription drugs, libraries across three boroughs, movie tickets, fitness and health centers, and free memberships to some of our borough’s amazing cultural institutions such as the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.”

“I thank the Mayor, Commissioner Agarwal, and Dr. Raju for making it easier for Bronxites to obtain IDNYC which is key to accessing vital services offered by the city, regardless of immigration status. I am pleased that the IDNYC will provide my constituents greater incentives and tools to stay healthy and enjoy a wide range of benefits that will help improve their quality of life,” said Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

“I’m pleased to see how many New Yorkers have signed up for an IDNYC. I’m confident this valuable tool will continue to grant New Yorkers access to critically needed benefits, as well as improve the health of residents of all five Boroughs. I thank the Mayor, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, Lincoln Medical Center, and all of the other NYC institutions that have helped to facilitate these services for their hard work and demonstrated commitment to improving New Yorkers’ health and wellbeing. I encourage New Yorkers to take full advantage of this valuable tool,” said Congressman Eliot L. Engel.

“In less than a year, thousands of New York City have already signed up for the IDNYC card at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, the largest healthcare provider in the South Bronx and to the City’s immigrant community. With a single card, our City’s most vulnerable now have access to a wide range of health care services available at the Center and to other benefits that aim to facilitate their daily life in the City. IDNYC helps make our city safer and run more efficiently, and I’m glad to hear of the large positive impact the card is already having in the Bronx and on the City’s immigrant community,” said Congressman Serrano.

“HHC is playing a key role in signing up New Yorkers for IDNYC, with 30,000 new cards issued at Lincoln Medical Center,” said Council Member Corey Johnson, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Health. “Since its inception, this program has been unlocking doors for New Yorkers of all walks of life. IDNYC does not discriminate, offering important identification to New Yorkers regardless of their backgrounds. I want to congratulate HHC President Dr. Ram Raju and Commissioner Nisha Agarwal for their roles in this effort that will improve the lives of so many New Yorkers.”

“IDNYC has opened pathways to financial stability, increased access to healthcare, and provided opportunities for cultural enrichment for thousands of New Yorkers. Today, I am proud we will work even harder to bring the benefits of IDNYC to the people of the Bronx. By partnering with HHC Lincoln Medical Center, the nation’s largest immigrant health center, I am confident the IDNYC program will increase Bronxites overall enrollment while assisting those who may still be unfamiliar with the program obtain much needed identification. I thank HHC President Dr. Ram Raju and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Nisha Agarwal for coming together in partnership to serve the residents of the Bronx and join with them in encouraging all New Yorkers to get a municipal ID,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson.

“Accessing quality healthcare and health benefits has been an obstacle for hundreds of low-income Bronxites for too long.‎ Now, with an IDNYC, eligible residents can tap into services, discounts and facilities that can improve health conditions and quality of life. I encourage all eligible Bronxites to get an IDNYC and take advantage of the health benefits and other perks including access to some of the City’s finest cultural institutions,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

“I applaud this revolutionary program that allows all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, greater functionality in obtaining the services and programs they need. IDNYC provides countless benefits for communities who may otherwise experience difficulty obtaining a government-issued ID. It is important that we continue to push this initiative beyond Manhattan and towards the outer boroughs. As a staunch advocate for the protection of the rights of our immigrant community, I am proud to see that New York City is leading the way and providing a blueprint that hopefully the rest of the county will follow,” said State Senator José M. Serrano. 

"The successful implementation of IDNYC takes our city one step closer to ensuring all New Yorkers have access to the tools they need to succeed," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I thank Mayor de Blasio for working to expand the program to ensure every New Yorker has the opportunity to secure an IDNYC and benefit from the resources attached to it."

“IDNYC has already provided a broad range of New Yorkers with legitimate forms of identification. Many of these people have never had access to acceptable forms of ID. In the second year of this program I am excited to see the expanded outreach to ensure more New Yorkers sign up for their own ID,” said State Assembly Member Luis R. Sepúlveda.

The enrollment center at HHC Lincoln Medical Center is located on the 2nd floor, room 2A2. The center is open Monday – Friday from 9am – 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5pm. To assist non-English speaking enrollees, full language access is available in more than 100 languages. Appointments are strongly recommended and can be made by booking online or calling 311.

 

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