HEP Celebrates 25 Years of Fighting for Healthcare at SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico

The Healthcare Education Project celebrated 25 years of education, service and advocacy at the SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico on November 7, 2024. The 25th Anniversary Reception highlighted HEP’s history and celebrated its successes. 

Kirk Adams, Executive Director, welcomed Kenneth E. Raske, President, Greater New York Hospital Association, and Dennis Rivera, former President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, to reflect on the founding of their unique labor-management partnership in 1999. The goal of the Healthcare Education Project was to unite healthcare providers, caregivers and consumers to fight for expanded healthcare coverage. George Gresham, current President of 1199SEIU, reflected on HEP campaigns to educate communities about health disparities and improve access to care. 

Additionally, Annette Colden, Founder, We Are As One, Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, Founder and President, Connective Strategies, and Jennifer Clarke-Craig, Advocate, Healthcare Education Project, reflected on HEP’s community impact and looked to the future, including the ongoing fight to achieve Medicaid equity for New Yorkers.

 “This is about all of us. Medicaid is not just about those who receive it. Medicaid equity is about the people who are providing healthcare. It is about making sure that they are absolutely compensated for their care and compassion of all of us. We are in this together,” said Tyquana Henderson-Rivers.

 “One thing we know is that healthcare is the priority. All New Yorkers need to have some form of healthcare insurance,” said Jennifer Clarke-Craig.