Sen. Espaillat Calls on NY Congressional Delegation to Reject Massive Cuts to Local Hospitals

With deficit reduction negotiations ongoing in Washington D.C, 3 major hospitals in Manhattan and the Bronx facing cuts of up to $1.25 billion

Senator Adriano Espaillat (D – Manhattan/Bronx) was joined by fellow Manhattan and Bronx state senators in calling on their congressional delegation to oppose major cuts to New York’s teaching hospitals. As deficit reduction talks continue in Washington D.C, teaching hospitals could see massive cuts in Medicare funding, with aid reductions of as much as $5.8 billion nationally. Such cuts would disproportionately affect New York City, given that its home to three of the top teaching hospitals in the country, costing the hospitals as much as $1.25 billion.

State senators representing Manhattan and the Bronx released a letter asking New York’s congressional delegation to oppose the funding cuts, citing the devastating impact these cuts would have on New York Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The letter was signed by Senators Adriano Espaillat, Bill Perkins, Thomas Duane, Liz Krueger, Gustavo Rivera, Jose Serrano, Jeff Klein, Ruben Diaz, and Ruth Hassell-Thompson. “Major funding cuts would disproportionately affect poor, urban areas that rely on these institutions for medical care,” the senators wrote. “The cuts would also devastate local economies in places like Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, where these hospitals serve as major employers.”

The full letter is as follows:

July 13, 2011

Respected members of New York’s Congressional Delegation:

We write this letter to communicate our great sense of urgency and alarm about recent reports outlining deep funding cuts to New York’s teaching hospitals. As state senators representing the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, which include New York Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, and Mount Sinai Medical Center, we are particularly fearful of the worst-case scenarios being discussed in our nation’s capital that include billions of dollars in cuts to teaching hospitals around the country.

According to a recent New York Times report, New York stands to lose $1.25 billion in federal funding that would otherwise go toward Medicare subsidies that allow New York’s teaching hospitals to provide critical care to patients and educate new doctors. A cut of this magnitude would simply be devastating to institutions like New York Presbyterian Hospital and the communities they serve.

New York Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City would face the brunt of these cuts.

While no one is arguing against bringing our nation’s fiscal house in order, we cannot do so while damaging the most important medical centers in America. Hospitals such as the aforementioned require funding because they treat an overwhelming number of poor and elderly patients, using advanced, and therefore, expensive, medical technology.

Major funding cuts would disproportionately affect poor, urban areas that rely on these institutions for medical care. The cuts would also devastate local economies in places like Northern Manhattan and the Bronx, where these hospitals serve as major employers.

Furthermore, funding to New York’s top hospitals is not a “giveaway” from the federal government. New York produces 16,000 new doctors each year, greater than every other region in the country . These doctors go on to care for patients across the United States and the world, making New York the most important pipeline for medical care. 

We know you share our deep concern for New York’s hospitals and the important work they do every single day. We strongly urge you to continue your advocacy on behalf of our hospitals and protect them from harsh cuts as part of any deficit reduction deal in Washington.

Thank you, and we look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of all New Yorkers.

Sincerely,

Members of the New York State Senate

(Manhattan and Bronx delegation)

Sen. Adriano Espaillat

Sen. Bill Perkins

Sen. Thomas Duane

Sen. Liz Krueger

Sen. Gustavo Rivera

Sen. Jose Serrano

Sen. Jeff Klein

Sen. Ruben Diaz

Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson

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