Senator Rivera Announces the Repeal of a Law That Would Cause Unnecessary Delays in the Construction of Healthcare Facilities in the Bronx

(Bronx, NY) - Today, Senator Rivera announced that the Health and Mental Hygiene budget bill (S.2007-B/A. 3007-B), which passed with 60 to 1 vote, contained a provision to repeal state law that would require potential health facilities projects in Bronx County to undergo a public forum process to authorize its construction.  The portion of the law that was repealed was passed as part of the 2014-2015 budget in an effort to obstruct the development of a Montefiore facility in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

"I am very pleased to announce that after a year of speaking with members of our community, health institutions, and my colleagues in the Senate and Assembly about the potential impact hindering the construction of new healthcare facilities in the Bronx could have on the quality of care our residents receive, we were able to repeal this unnecessary law," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.  "While I strongly believe community input should be a key part of any development project, the provision added in last year's budget had the potential to needlessly delay or prevent the construction of new healthcare facilities in our borough. As the county that continuously ranks last in health in New York State, Bronx residents could not afford to have yet another obstacle standing in the way of the healthcare they need." 

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