FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16th, 2008

Press Advisory From:

    * MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK

    * THE NEW YORK IMMIGRATION COALITION

    * THE KOREAN COMMUNITY SERVICES OF METROPOLITAN NEW YORK, INC.

Hospital Communication Improves: Study Shows that Hospital Care is Becoming More Accessible to Many New Yorkers Who Are Limited-English-Proficient

Immigrant community members, advocacy organizations and hospital administrators will announce findings of a study of over 600 patients at 10 hospitals in New York City.  The study documents improved communication assistance, and compares performance of public and private hospitals.  The findings indicate that New York State Department of Health regulations put in place in 2006 have begun to improve access to health care, especially for Spanish speakers.  However, the study points to lingering concerns about quality of care for Korean speaking New Yorkers, and demonstrates that more must be done to ensure equity in hospital care.
 
WHAT:       A press conference with patients, health advocates and hospital representatives

WHO:         Korean Community Services of Metropolitan NY,  Make the Road New York, New York Immigration Coalition, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and representatives from the Beth Israel Hospital and other hospital leaders.

WHEN:       Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 11:30am.

WHERE:     The New York Immigration Coalition, 137-139 West 25th Street, 12th Floor (between 6th & 7th avenues in Manhattan)

*** PHOTO OPPORTUNITY ***
  Interviews with community members and copies of written testimony and report available on request