Gov. Cuomo Announces Sound Shore is One of Five Hospitals to Split $35.6M in Grants

• This announcement comes from the office of New Yor State Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $35.6 million in grants to five hospitals and nursing homes in the Mid-Hudson region, 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 and nursing homes in the Mid-Hudson region 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 Steve Saland said: "Our efforts over the past two years to streamline the healthcare industry have resulted in significant measures that will enhance the standard of care in our State in a fiscally sound manner. St. Francis Hospital has risen to this challenge, and this HEAL NY grant will help to further build upon the longstanding tradition of quality care it has delivered in our community." 

Senator John Bonacic said: "These smart investments in healthcare will increase the quality of patient care. I am very pleased in particular with the funding awarded to Catskill Regional Medical Center. I appreciate the tremendous work of that hospital's staff and board in the successful revitalization of the hospital." 

Assembly Member Amy Paulin said, "By investing $11.9 million in the Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester, HEAL NY is improving the quality and efficiency of health care services for our region. Beyond funding improvements, this award will help ensure the health of our community."

Assembly Member Aileen Gunther said, "This funding provides a windfall for Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, which is receiving $12.6 million, and Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty, which will receive over $1.1 million. The health care providers of the Hudson Valley have weathered disaster and I am pleased to see them receiving these new resources to help deliver exceptional care and update their operations."

Following is a list of HEAL NY awards for the Mid-Hudson region:

Mid-Hudson

• Catskill Regional Medical Center $12,600,000
• Field Home-Holy Comforter $8,000,000
• Sullivan County Adult Care Center $ 1,130,000
• $11,900,000
• St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers $ 2,053,042