Empire BlueCross BlueShield and Montefi ore Health System’s
New Agreement Focuses on Improving Community Health
Empire BlueCross
BlueShield and Montefiore
Health System announced
today a new agreement focused
on improving the access
to quality healthcare
for people throughout New
York City, Westchester and
the Hudson Valley. This latest
multi-year agreement
continues the longstanding
relationship between the
two organizations. It features
several new community
outreach initiatives
including health events, a
partnership to support nutrition
services for at-risk
populations, and a mobile
health unit to deliver essential
testing and screening
focused on improving the
health of the community.
“We are on a mission
to materially and measurably
improve the health of
all New Yorkers, and we
know there are many critical
healthcare needs in the
Bronx, which ranks 62 out
of New York’s 62 counties
for health outcomes.i Today,
as part of our mission,
we signed a new agreement
with Montefiore Health
System that solidifies our
commitment to protect affordability
and access to
quality care for our members.
In these extraordinary
times, it’s critical we
build a more meaningful
partnership that focuses
on improving the health of
the communities we jointly
serve,” said Alan Murray,
president, Empire Blue-
Cross BlueShield.
Empire City
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, F 44 EB. 19-25, 2021 BTR
“As we continue to face
the challenges of the pandemic,
innovative arrangements
with insurers enable
us to provide the best
quality healthcare. Our
new agreement with Empire
BlueCross BlueShield
is built on our mutual commitment
to the communities
we serve, and sets us on
a continued path forward,
together, to serve our patients,”
said Colleen Blye,
executive vice president
and chief financial officer,
Montefiore Health System.
This new deal builds on
Empire’s mission and existing
commitment to improving
health outcomes in
the Bronx. Empire’s work
in the Bronx has included
events that keep the community
healthy, including
mask and sanitizer distribution
and flu pop-up clinics
earlier this year, as well
as grants for City Harvest’s
Mobile Market Program
and NYC Parks’ Shape Up
program through Empire’s
Foundation. Additionally,
Empire is partnering with
BronxNet Community Television
and is a sponsor of
the Go Bronx podcast.
The Bronx was the epicenter
of the first wave of
COVID-19, and Montefiore
increased its bed capacity
by 100% to treat COVID-19
patients, initially without
federal or state funding. As
part of its rapid response,
Montefiore spent upwards
of $350 million to procure
personal protective equipment
(PPE), establish seven
COVID-19 testing sites
throughout the Bronx and
Westchester and hire additional
out-of-state frontline
staff. Montefiore’s ongoing
investments include funding
a robust telehealth program,
establishing a COVID
vaccine trials unit, and creating
a research and care
clinic, offering treatment
for COVID patients with
long-term chronic symptoms
and related health issues.
Montefiore serves
a population of approximately
three million people.
Between March and June of
2020, the height of the pandemic,
Montefiore treated
and safely discharged more
than 8,000 patients back to
their homes.
“In accordance with
Governor Cuomo’s most
recent Executive Order extending
the curfew for New
York State Liquor Authority
licensees, Empire City
Casino by MGM Resorts
will expand hours of operation
by one hour with daily
operational hours of 10:00
a.m. to 11:00 p.m. effective
today, Monday, February
15, 2021.
Operating hours at the
Big Kitchen Food Court
will be 11:00 a.m. to 11:00
p.m. daily and The Pub
Restaurant will be open
Friday and Saturday evenings
from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00
p.m. Both dining entities
will operate at a reduced
fi fty-percent seating capacity,
while food and beverage
remain prohibited on
the gaming fl oor and Lil’
Cocina and bars on property
remain closed.
Health and safety protocols
are in place throughout
Empire City Casino,
a n d fac e masks mus t
be worn at all times by
guests and employees. This
is in line with MGM Resorts’
companywide Seven-
Point Safety Plan and state
guidelines. Please continue
to visit www.EmpireCity-
Casino.com for updates
and hours of operations for
venues.”
THE CITY CLERK
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Pursuant to provisions of Section 25(b)(1) of the Charter of the City of New
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
O
o
York notice is here
York, notice is hereby given that a special election will be held in the
Borough of Bronx, County of Bronx, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021,
between the hours of 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the purpose of electing a
candidate for the 15th Councilmanic District. Only registered voters in this
district are eligible to vote.
For any information on whether you are eligible to vote or where your poll
site is located, please call (212) V-O-T-E-N-Y-C. TDD for the hearingimpaired
is (212) 487-5496.
The City Clerk of the City of New York
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