FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Ivy Fairchild
Chief Development & Marketing Officer
Public Health Solutions
646-619-6407
ifairchild@healthsolutions.org
Public Health Solutions Announces Closure of Brooklyn Sexual and Reproductive Health Centers
Brooklyn, NY – [January 7, 2024] – Public Health Solutions (PHS), a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity and addressing health disparities in New York City, today announced the planned closure of its two Brooklyn Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Centers. The centers, located in Fort Greene and Brownsville, will cease operations following a phased transition set to conclude on April 6, 2025.
The decision comes after years of navigating significant operational and financial challenges, including chronic staffing shortages, increasing operational costs, and reductions in critical funding. Despite extensive advocacy at federal, state and city levels and efforts to find sustainable solutions, it is no longer feasible to continue operating these essential centers.
“Our Brooklyn SRH Centers have been a cornerstone of care for underserved communities for decades, and this decision was not made lightly,” said Lisa David, President & CEO of Public Health Solutions. “We are immensely proud of the high-quality, compassionate care these centers have provided to residents of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Crown Heights, East New York, Flatbush, Fort Greene, and beyond. Our priority now is to ensure a seamless transition for our patients and staff.”
The closure reflects the culmination of several factors:
- Inability to return to the level of patient visits we had before the pandemic, coupled with a growing proportion of uninsured patients from 15% to nearly 30%.
- Skyrocketing costs including laboratory services, medications, and equipment, without any increases in reimbursement from Medicaid and health insurance.
- Flat funding or reduction in grants supporting our activities, such as the State Family Planning Program (FPP) and Title X.
- Operational inefficiencies of running two small-scale centers, limiting our ability to have economies of scale.
- Persistent staffing shortages, including the inability to permanently fill the Medical Director role since March 2024.
PHS is committed to ensuring a compassionate and thorough transition for patients and staff:
- For Patients: A comprehensive list of alternative service providers offering similar care will be shared. Patients will also receive assistance in accessing medical records securely and confidentially.
- For Staff: PHS will support staff through professional development opportunities, resume reviews, counseling, and an internal job fair to connect them with other roles within the organization or the broader healthcare field.
To address community concerns, PHS will host a public town hall meeting on January 22, 2025from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Ingersoll Community Center (NYCHA) – 177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the rationale for the closures, advocacy efforts made to sustain the centers, and plans to support affected patients and staff.
For decades, the Brooklyn SRH Centers have provided vital healthcare services to thousands of individuals and families, including contraception, prenatal care, STI testing and treatment, and other essential reproductive health services.
“While we are heartbroken to close these centers, we are grateful for the unwavering trust and support of our patients, staff, and community partners,” said David. “This transition marks the end of an era, but our commitment to advancing health equity in New York City remains steadfast.”
About Public Health Solutions
Public Health Solutions is one of New York City’s largest public health nonprofit organizations, addressing critical issues such as health disparities, food insecurity, and maternal and child health. By connecting vulnerable populations to vital resources, PHS works to build healthier communities and improve health outcomes for all New Yorkers.
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