The Northeast Regional Chapter (NERUCA) is actively advancing Urgent Care priorities through focused grassroots advocacy efforts in government affairs, payer relations, and public health. Here’s a snapshot of their recent work:
Government Affairs: 2025 NERUCA Lobby Day:
On April 28th, NERUCA Government Affairs Committee met with legislators and staff from both the Senate and Assembly Health Committees to advocate for Urgent Care priorities that directly impact access to care across the state. This year, the focus was on supporting two key pieces of legislation: A2685 (sponsored by Asm. Yudelka Tapia) and S684 (sponsored by Sen. Monica R. Martinez). Click here to take action.
Payor Relations: Meeting with Congressman Patrick Ryan
NERUCA’s Payor Relations and Government Affairs Committees recently met with Congressman Patrick Ryan’s office to address ongoing challenges with payer contracting, especially involving UnitedHealthcare and Optum. As a representative for many Urgent Care centers in eastern New York, Congressman Ryan’s team was engaged and attentive to the concerns of independent providers. This conversation was an important step in advocating for fairer reimbursement practices and ensuring continued access to affordable, on-demand care.
Public Health:
NERUCA has been selected to present at the upcoming National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference (NHCPC), highlighting our emergency preparedness work with local Departments of Health and healthcare coalitions. This marks a meaningful step toward recognizing Urgent Care as a vital part of the healthcare system and advancing our mission to integrate Urgent Care medicine into broader public health initiatives.
