The pandemic has laid bare the fragility of our current healthcare system, and the inadequacy of tying insurance coverage to employment. We have a moment to rewrite the status-quo, and center providers and patients in how we deliver care. Individuals spend too much time tied up in negotiations with their insurance provider, and fighting for coverage of necessary treatment. Providers can’t devote as much time to patient care, when they have to manage administrative burden and complex medical billing. I believe the best way forward is single-payer healthcare, and I’m a proud champion of the New York Health Act.
I’ll continue to be supportive of ways we can continue to expand healthcare access and coverage, as we push towards this system, and work to eliminate the burdens of our current system. In the meantime, I’ll work to close the coverage gap that allows our lowest-income and undocumented New Yorkers to live without any measure of protection in a health crisis.
kara mestnik says:
Dear Assemblywoman Clark ,
I am a constituent and wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, I have been a lifelong resident of Rochester and have made caring for people not only my career but my passion. I have been a registered nurse for almost 20 years, and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 10 years. As a transformational healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in the field I have dedicated myself to caring for the patients within University of Rochester. I currently work in a highly specialized surgical arena caring for patients with Thoracic Oncology needs, many of whom struggle making ends meet for needed care.
I have been fortunate enough to have been selected for a fully funded Doctorate of Nursing Practice Fellowship through the University of Rochester’s School of Nursing. The inclusion for the fellowship is based upon clinical expertise and merit. I am entering my second year of DNP training and beginning my didactic work in Health Care Policy development, and Population Health. My training and ongoing education are providing me with the skills to lead and manage palpable change not only within the medical arena but within our community. I have come to learn that Population Health is much greater than that of medical and nursing care that I provide. I have familiarized myself with your work with the United Way and fighting for affordable care for our community. I am requesting an opportunity to sit down with you to further discuss the role of a DNP, and more specifically how a healthcare provider like myself can contribute to knowledge sharing of the issues our community faces. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Respectfully,
Kara Mestnik MSN, APRN, FNP-C