WATERVIEW HEIGHTS BREAKTHROUGH
Here are Metro Justice news and events for the week of 2/9/2026
WATERVIEW HEIGHTS BREAKTHROUGH
All of the work Elder Justice Committee has done to spotlight the horrifying conditions at Waterview Heights has at last paid off. The Department of Health, long lobbied by EJC to visit consequences for the egregious violations of patient care standards there, has levied its largest fine ever in the state. The $666,000 fine covers violations from 2024 and 2025 including significant medication errors, failing to protect patients from physical and sexual abuse, resident neglect and insufficient staffing. More importantly, the action also includes a provision that creates a carrot to supplement the work of the stick. According to the report in the Buffalo News [paywall]:
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“$566,000 will be waived if the nursing home complies with the terms of the stipulation. Those terms include retaining the services of an independent quality monitor, chosen by the Health Department, that will oversee the nursing home's plan of correction and submit quarterly progress reports to the state for a year. Health Department spokesperson Marissa Crary on Friday confirmed an independent quality monitor has been placed at Waterview Heights.” |
While the entirety of the fine is richly deserved, it is more in the interest of elderly people in Monroe County that the facility remain and improve drastically than that it be spun off by its current owner, Grand Healthcare, and declared bankrupt. And the “small” portion ($100,000) of the fine still to be paid is still larger than any previous fine levied by the Department of Health. The Buffalo article specifically mentions EJC’s October rally (see the reports from WHAM and in our own newsletter on that) in connection with the DoH action. However, it is really the culmination of long work by the Committee holding the department's feet to the fire. MaryDel Wypch, committee chair, comments:
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“It is about time that the NYS DOH held this poor excuse for a nursing home accountable for how they have treated residents, including neglecting and harming them while getting paid to do so. So proud of Elder Justice Committee of Metro Justice - with help from local media and our partners - for helping put pressure for accountability and change on both nursing home owners and operators and the NYS DOH. We hope for the sake of residents that positive and lasting change really happens and fast.” |
Our heartiest congratulations go out to EJC for their persistence and creativity. Anyone interested in helping them to continue their work, email [email protected].
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UPCOMING EVENTS
TODAY, February 9th, 7-8 pm Metro Justice Healthcare monthly organizing meeting. New York Health would cover all NY residents, regardless of documentation, mandate the removal of profit from healthcare payment calculations, and create a payment system based on income, in order to be affordable to all. Click here for the zoom link.
Friday, February 13th, 12-1:30 pm Community Defense and ICE Watch 90-minute training: Register here to join this 90-minute training from States at the Core and Protect RP on effectively protecting your neighborhoods from federal enforcement incursions. If you attend, please share your impressions of this nationwide organization (States at the Core)
Sunday, February 15, 12:30-2 pm MJ Member Engagement Workshop New to Metro Justice? Been a member for a while but not sure how to get involved? This nuts and bolts meeting will be a chance to learn more about the organization, how it works, and how you can fit activism into your life! Join us at Metro Justice (389 Gregory) and on line. Click here to sign up for the zoom link and directions to the office!
Tuesday, February 17, 5-6 pm NYPIRG zoom discussion on next steps we can take to protect the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act, aka, the Climate Law.
Wednesday, February 25th, 7-8:30 pm Community Defense and ICE Watch 90-minute training: Register here.
Tuesday, March 10th, 5 am-8 pm Join a huge cross-movement action at the New York State Capitol supporting immigrant rights, housing, and climate action. RSVP here if you can help represent Rochester! Free bus transportation and lunch provided.
Saturday, May 9 Metro Justice Annual Dinner - more details and sign-up coming next Monday!
DESKTOP ACTIONS
Governor Hochul wants to roll back critical parts of NY’s climate law. But you can’t change the rules because you’re losing the game. We know that weakening the law will undermine our climate commitments and force New Yorkers to pay higher and higher energy costs. NY Renews has provided a 1-click letter to State Senate and Assembly leadership demanding that they hold firm in protecting the climate law and New York communities!
Do you know where your birth certificate is? Three voter suppression bills (the SAVE Act) in the federal House and Senate would force Americans to present a passport, birth certificate, or other citizenship papers in order to register to vote in federal elections, and are clearly designed to deter millions of people from casting their ballot in our democracy. Click here to send an email to your federal representatives.
LEARN MORE
Mutual Aid, by Dean Spade, is an excellent guide from 2020 that is being being pulled out and brushed off in the wake of the startling success of the Twin Cities in bringing ICE to a standstill and into national disrepute. All accounts agree that their extraordinary work and sacrifice is built on a longstanding foundation of neighborhood solidarity and mutual aid. If Rochester is to prepare for similar mass organization we would do well to learn from their example. There will be more on this next week! In the meantime, there is a nice 2-part book review podcast with excerpts, and this handy Study guide has been created on Radical In Progress. And if you have thoughts on what we can learn from Minnesota, click here.