New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan
stepped down Friday after two and a half years leading one of the world’s largest public health agencies. His resignation, which he said was prompted by a desire to spend more time with his family, came months earlier than expected. Vasan
has repeatedly dodged questions about the impact of the multiple investigations swirling around Mayor Eric Adams on his decision to step down. But he told POLITICO in an interview Friday that he is “not blind to the environment” and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has been doing “everything we can” to prevent that environment from damaging morale.
“It doesn't make me happy that these things are going on,” he said in an interview. “I want to see this city be successful. I want to see the people of the city be successful, and that requires an administration and leadership that's successful, and things that interfere or limit that — or get in the way of that success — are all things that are not good for us as a city.” A former government staffer
who’s close to Vasan described the investigations as “political barriers” to exporting his initiatives — such as HealthyNYC, a program to extend New Yorkers’ life expectancy — beyond the five boroughs as a public health model. “Anyone would become frustrated
by that,” said the person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the matter. “Ashwin is a serious person who will keep his head down and do the work. But it definitely became more difficult for him to do his job.” And Vasan isn’t ruling out another stint in public service. His career role models
include former city Health Commissioner Tom Frieden, who went on to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “If I'm asked to serve again, I will gladly consider it,” Vasan told POLITICO. “There’s a lot to unfold in the coming weeks and months, which will tell us what the public health agenda has the potential to be, and if I can make a contribution to that, of course.”
IN OTHER NEWS: — Home Healthcare Workers of America is calling on the Hochul administration to delay the consolidation of the Medicaid consumer-directed personal assistance program under a statewide fiscal intermediary, which is required under state law to take effect by April 1.
The union — which represents more than 40,000 home health workers and is part of the International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades — said in a statement Friday that the timeline is “too condensed to properly administer a responsible transfer,” echoing a similar call by fellow health care union 1199SEIU.
“This enormous change would be better accomplished over an 18-month period with some extra time to work out what are sure to be hiccups and unforeseen delays,” Connor Shaw, legislative director for the International Union of Journeymen and Allied Trades, said in a statement. “Both caregivers and those receiving that care deserve better than a rush job.” ON THE AGENDA:
— Tuesday at 10 a.m. The NYC Health + Hospitals board of directors’ audit committee meets, followed by the finance committee. MAKING ROUNDS: — Jim Clyne
announced plans to step down as CEO of LeadingAge New York at the end of the year. The search for his successor is underway. GOT TIPS? Send story ideas and feedback to Maya Kaufman at mkaufman@politico.com and Katelyn Cordero at kcordero@politico.com.
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