Governor Hochul Announces $200 Million to Expand Emergency Departments in Queens and Rochester

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $200 million in state funding to expand emergency departments, including $150 million that was awarded to the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Queens and $50 million awarded to Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Administered by the state Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, these two grants from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will support expansion and modernization efforts of the emergency departments at both facilities to improve patient care in their respective communities.

"Access to quality emergency care is a critical component of a strong, stable, and equitable health care system," Governor Hochul said. "The funding awarded to these hospitals through the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will help dramatically improve emergency care in these communities and provide their residents the top-rate care they deserve."

Acting State Health Commissioner James McDonald said, "With the help of these funds, both hospitals will be able to modernize and expand their emergency departments for underserved communities. As New York is a national leader in providing first-rate health care, I applaud Governor Hochul for her dedication to making sure our healthcare system, especially emergency rooms, has the resources to provide high-quality care for all New Yorkers."

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center was awarded $150 million through Statewide IV to construct a new 48,534 square foot, three-story basement addition on an adjacent property now being used as a parking lot for physicians. This financially distressed safety-net hospital serves a predominately minority local population in Queens.

Among the 13 Level 1 Trauma Centers in New York City, this project will enable Jamaica Hospital to build an expanded and modernized emergency department to adequately meet the community's needs. Built more than 30 years ago and designed to handle about 60,000 trips annually, the emergency room now receives roughly 120,000 visits each year, not factoring in the increased visits it experienced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strong Memorial Hospital, the safety-net hospital for the Finger Lakes' most vulnerable residents, was awarded $50 million from Statewide IV. The 55,000-square-foot facility receives more than 100,000 emergency department visitors annually.

The expansion project will roughly triple the size of the emergency department, thereby improve health equity in the Finger Lakes region. The expansion will help to ease overcrowding situations and reduce wait times for admission to hospital.

The Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program is aimed at supporting efforts to reduce health care costs and improve the health outcomes of New Yorkers by expanding access to inpatient, primary, preventative, and other ambulatory care services as part of regionally integrated health care delivery systems. These awards are also focused on projects which will help ensure the financial sustainability of safety net health care providers, and the preservation or expansion of essential health care services.

Statewide IV was established pursuant to Public Health Law and authorized up to $200 million for emergency department modernizations of regional significance. To receive funding, hospitals must demonstrate how the proposed project will strengthen and protect continued access to health care services in communities.

Only Level 1 Trauma Centers serving a high percentage of Medicaid patients were eligible to apply. Level 1 Trauma Centers provide the highest level of trauma care to critically ill or injured patients.

The Department of Health will award another $950 million through additional phases of Statewide IV. Governor Hochul's proposed FY 2024 Executive Budget also includes $1 billion in additional funding to establish Statewide V.