Albany, NY (June 15, 2012)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $43.2 million in grants to four hospitals and nursing homes in Long Island, continuing efforts to transform the state’s health care system to improve patient care, reduce costs, and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to quality treatment.
The grants are made available through New York State's Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL NY). Statewide, the $301.1 million in HEAL NY grants will help 40 hospitals and nursing homes across the state improve primary and community-based care, eliminate excess bed capacity, and reduce over-reliance on inpatient care in hospitals and nursing homes.
"As a result of the hard work of the Medicaid Redesign Team and our actions to transform the state's health care system, we already have taken important steps toward reducing costs and improving care for patients," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants to hospitals and nursing homes in Long Island will help our health care facilities deliver better quality care in a more efficient and cost effective manner so all New Yorkers have access to the best care possible when it is needed."
The awards are allocated through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and are part of nearly $3 billion in funding that has been invested in health care reform through 20 separate HEAL NY phases over the past seven years.
The grants announced today will help implement recommendations from Governor Cuomo's Medicaid Redesign Team, including enabling health care facilities to deliver more efficient, higher quality care through restructuring, merging, and realigning operations.
Additionally, the awards will help develop collaborative projects among health care providers and will support capital projects, such as the conversion of hospital inpatient space to outpatient and ambulatory care and inpatient nursing home capacity to other less-restrictive forms of long-term care.
DOH received a diverse group of applications from throughout the state. Additional funding will be made available in future rounds to support additional projects including efforts to help develop a high-quality, financially secure and sustainable health system in Brooklyn.
State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M. D., M.P.H., said, "I commend these hospitals and nursing homes for their resourcefulness and effectiveness in reconfiguring their beds and services to achieve greater efficiency and to deliver care most appropriate to address the identified needs in their communities. These projects represent prime examples of how institutions - large and small alike - can leverage the opportunities presented by a health care system that is moving towards greater integration of services and new models of patient-centered care."
DASNY President Paul T. Williams, Jr. said, "DASNY is committed to working with Governor Cuomo, the Department of Health, and our health care partners across the State to provide the best possible outcome for New Yorkers. These grants will support improvements and collaborations that will strengthen services and deliver care that will benefit our communities."
Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said, "These HEAL NY grants will help outstanding hospitals, such as Long Beach Medical Center, provide the best quality care in the most efficient manner possible. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for working with us to provide these investments that will ensure access to quality health care and ensure the financial strength of our health care facilities."
Senator Owen H. Johnson said, "In these very tough economic times, I am extremely pleased that Governor Cuomo recognizes the importance of helping to subsidize our county health departments so that they can provide better services to the county residents. This grant will go a long way in helping to deliver those services to my constituents in Suffolk County."
Senator Kenneth P. LaValle said, "The $3.2 million HEAL NY Grant will enable St. Charles Hospital in coordination with Stony Brook University Hospital to develop a program that supports ventilator-dependent children. St. Charles’ new program will enable ventilator dependent children to be cared for on Long Island instead of being treated out of state or at a great distance from their home. This is good news for families who have fought tirelessly for many years to bring their ventilator dependent children home to Long Island for treatment."
Senator Kemp Hannon said, "As a member of the Governor’s Medicaid Redesign Team, I was challenged to reverse overspending and inefficiency in the Medicaid system. We've achieved efficiencies of delivery and eliminated waste, and we can now use these savings to provide grants under HEAL NY to continue improving health care in our state."
Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. said, "This state funding is an investment to improve healthcare on Long Island and across New York State. Healthcare centers will be able to use these funds to implement reforms that will help them deliver a higher level of care in a more efficient manner. That's a win-win situation for patients, providers, and taxpayers. I'm pleased that the State is making this investment into Long Island's healthcare system."
Assembly Member Harvey Weisenberg said, "The well-being of Nassau County residents is always a top priority. The $4.9 million in HEAL NY funds going to Long Beach Medical Center will allow them to treat patients in a more efficient manner, while improving health outcomes."
Assembly Member Steve Englebright said, "This investment in our health care providers is, ultimately, an investment in a healthy future for all New Yorkers. In particular, the awarding of $3.2 million to St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson will support important improvement projects."
Following is a list of HEAL NY awards for Long Island:
Long Island
Long Beach Medical Center $ 4,962,357
St. Charles Hospital $ 3,197,650
Nassau Health Care Corporation $ 18,000,000
Suffolk County Department of Health Services $ 17,000,000