What You Should Know:
– New York state Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the preliminary approval of $188M in transformative investments across seven hospitals and healthcare partnerships statewide.
– The initiative, part of the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program, aims to bolster the resilience of safety-net hospitals and enhance care delivery for underserved communities.
Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program
The program, established in the FY25 Enacted Budget, incentivizes partnerships between safety-net hospitals and healthcare organizations to improve care coordination, expand services, and enhance efficiency. The Department of Health will work closely with the selected applicants to refine their transformation plans and ensure successful implementation.
“The strength of our hospitals is a reflection of the strength of our communities, and safety net hospitals play a critical role in providing quality health care to vulnerable populations,” Governor Hochul said. “Every person should have access to affordable, reliable health care regardless of the zip code they live in, and these investments will bring vital resources to underserved New Yorkers.”
Approved Projects
The preliminarily approved projects include:
Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: A $188 million investment to establish a “Comprehensive Cancer Program of Queens,” including a new Radiation and Infusion Therapy Campus at Jamaica Hospital. This partnership will expand access to advanced cancer care in Queens and facilitate referrals to Memorial Sloan Kettering for specialized treatments and clinical trials.
Glens Falls Hospital and Albany Med Health System: Modernization of the Glens Falls emergency department to improve care delivery and prepare for future growth. The project includes integration with Albany Med’s electronic medical record system and enhanced stroke care services.
Kaleida Health and Rural Hospitals in Western New York: Expansion of Kaleida Health’s network to include partnerships with Olean General Hospital and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital, along with critical infrastructure upgrades and modernization of the electronic medical record system across the entire system.
St. Barnabas Hospital, Cityblock Health, and Union Community Health Center: A value-based partnership to manage the complex health needs of approximately 35,000 Healthfirst members in the Bronx, with a focus on improving behavioral health services. The project includes an upgrade to St. Barnabas’ emergency department.
Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital and Westchester Community Health Center: Strengthening of Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital’s Maternal Child Health program and modernization of its maternity and postpartum unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
UVM Health Network and Champlain Valley Family Center: Improvement of behavioral health care access and reduction of emergency department use in the North Country, along with efforts to streamline and strengthen the financial sustainability of UVM Alice Hyde Medical Center.
Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Otsego County Ambulance Services, and Noble Health Services: Establishment of partnerships to increase the availability of emergency transportation, upgrade communication infrastructure, and expand and modernize pharmacy operations.
Continued Investment in Safety-Net Hospitals
Governor Hochul has emphasized the importance of safety-net hospitals in providing essential care to underserved communities. Recognizing the high demand for the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program, the Governor plans to allocate additional resources in FY26 to support more partnerships and strengthen New York’s healthcare safety net.