New York City’s $432 million no-bid contract with for-profit health care company DocGo is facing scrutiny and raising concerns amid the ongoing migrant crisis. As a response to the arrival of nearly 100,000 asylum seekers, plans were made to transport them upstate, entrusting DocGo with the task. However, recent events have cast doubt on the medical services company ability to effectively manage the situation.
The sudden influx of migrants caught local officials off-guard, with buses arriving in Colonie over Memorial Day weekend. The lack of preparedness and coordination was evident, as buses arrived in hotel parking lots at odd hours, leading to legal action by local officials.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy revealed that over 700 asylum seekers are currently in the county, facing oppression and discrimination in their home countries. However, concerns have been raised about the quality of care and services provided by DocGo.
The controversy surrounding DocGo involves issues of healthcare access for migrants and transparency in its operations. Officials, including Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, have expressed concerns about the inadequate healthcare services provided to asylum seekers. Reports have emerged of migrants being left stranded at doctors’ offices, taken to unfamiliar locations with no transportation back, or left in the care of individuals from Homeland Security without clear instructions for their return.
While DocGo claims to be fulfilling its contractual obligations and addressing any shortcomings, local officials argue that the company’s actions are falling short of delivering quality care to those in need. Even efforts to provide essential services like immunizations have been hindered due to lack of coordination.
Albany County is urging improved collaboration and accountability from DocGo but has received no response from the company. As a result, local officials are calling on New York City and the federal government to hold DocGo accountable and ensure that migrants receive the care they need.
The struggles surrounding this issue shed light on broader challenges related to for-profit companies’ involvement in managing humanitarian crises. As the situation continues to unfold, the difficulties faced by migrants and the scrutiny on DocGo’s management highlight the complexities of handling such crises through contracted partnerships.
