Senator Nozzolio And Assemblyman Finch Announce $1 Million In State Budget For The Auburn Memorial Hospital

Auburn – Citing the critical importance of providing quality health care and services to the Auburn community, New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio and Assemblyman Gary Finch today announced that the 2006-2007 State Budget includes $1 million for the Auburn Memorial Hospital. The funding will be used for operational expenses as well as capital and equipment improvements.

“This funding will ensure that Auburn Memorial Hospital can continue to provide the highest quality services possible to our residents. In these challenging times, it is all the more important that we make wise investments that serve to strengthen our area hospitals and ensure the viability of health care services for the residents and families of our region,” Senator Nozzolio said.

“The services provided by Auburn Memorial Hospital are vital for the well-being of the entire health care community. The funding secured in this years State budget will make certain the hospital has all the available tools necessary to provide the best in personal health care,” Assemblyman Finch said.

The assistance secured in the budget will help Auburn Memorial Hospital update and modernize their equipment and help provide state of the art medical, surgical and rehabilitation technologies. The funding will also support efficiencies in cataract surgery, urology and anesthesia.

“With the Hospital Closure Commission looking at every health care facility, it is critically important that we continue to invest state resources into strengthening the operations at Auburn Memorial Hospital,” Nozzolio said.

Brendan McGrath, Administrator of Auburn Memorial Hospital said “This critical funding will be used to modernize and upgrade needed equipment which will help recruit first class physicians and ultimately make the hospital more successful. Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Finch have always been responsive in listening to hospital concerns on health care issues throughout the years. “I would like to thank Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Finch for their past support and continued efforts that enable Auburn Memorial to provide the highest quality of care and services to our patients.”

Bob Bergan, President of the Board of Trustees said “We greatly appreciate Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Finch’s support in fighting to secure this much needed funding to support operations at Auburn Memorial and to purchase new state of the art surgical equipment which is so important to recruiting quality physicians. Once again Senator Nozzolio and Assemblyman Finch have come through for the residents of Auburn and the Finger Lakes region and ensured that Auburn Memorial Hospital will continue to deliver excellent care to the region.”

Also included in this year’s budget is an agreement that restores $80.6 million to maintain the trend factor for hospitals to adjust aid and help them address inflationary cost increases. In addition, $18.3 million will be included to increase the Hospital Emergency Room Medicaid rate from $95 to $150.

“Nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our citizens and families. This funding is a major victory and I was pleased to help lead the fight to provide this important assistance for the Auburn Memorial Hospital,” Nozzolio concluded.

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