Albany, NY (June 15, 2012)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $20.2 million in grants to three hospitals in the North Country, 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 have already taken important steps toward reducing costs and improving care for patients," Governor Cuomo said. "These grants to hospitals in the North Country 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."
Senator Betty Little said, "These are important investments which not only assure better outcomes for patients but a more efficient, more cost-effective health care system in the long-term. I congratulate CVPH for their successful application and look forward to seeing the progress they continue to make to transform the delivery of health care in the North Country."
Senator Patricia Ritchie said, "This funding will help Carthage Area Hospital address the needs of the local community, including Ft. Drum. At the same time it will assist the hospital with strengthening its financial condition moving forward. The Governor has recognized the efforts of North Country hospitals, like River Hospital, to work collaboratively; in an effort to decrease costs and increase efficiency. I thank the Governor for acknowledging the importance of these projects and the efforts of these organizations to provide our region with quality healthcare."
Assembly Member Addie J. Russell said, "The funding of $3,750,430 to River Hospital will impact the entire North Country region. River Hospital's lead role in obtaining this support will ensure North Country families have the access to high quality, effective health care they deserve. This funding will facilitate a more efficient delivery of health care and other important primary and community care improvements. The support of $9,144,000 to Carthage Area Hospital is also significant for the region's health care community. Carthage Area Hospital is a major care provider and employer. This funding will enable them to become financially stable and ensure they can continue to provide quality services."
Following is a list of HEAL NY awards for the North Country:
North Country
Carthage Area Hospital $ 9,144,000
River Hospital $ 3,753,430
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital $ 7,309,572