Gothamist
By Giulia Heyward | Published November 2, 2024
City lawmakers say New Yorkers are waiting longer than ever for emergency medical attention at the same time the city is struggling to keep enough ambulances – and staff – on the streets.
And the city’s strained medical resources are becoming the difference in life and death for some of its residents.
City Councilmembers and residents bemoaned the decline in response times during a joint-committee hearing of the fire and emergency management, hospitals and oversight committees Friday — especially as the delays seem to hit low-income communities of color much harder than more affluent areas.
“It is apparent to anyone paying attention that our city has struggled to meet its obligation to provide timely medical care to all New Yorkers,” said Councilmember Joann Ariola, chair of the Council’s fire and emergency management committee. “Every second counts and the patient outcomes can be dramatically altered even by the slightest delay.”