Senator Parker Calls for Comprehensive Audit of SUNY Downstate to Safeguard Against Unwarranted Layoffs

Brooklyn, NY – In the face of the grim potential of arbitrary layoffs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Medical Center, State Senator Kevin Parker has called on New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to undertake a thorough and detailed audit of the institution's finances and operations. 

"The potential impact of arbitrary layoffs and reducing headcounts at SUNY Downstate could be detrimental not just to the employees, but more critically, to the provision of healthcare in our community," stated Senator Parker. "It is our duty to protect the public's interest by verifying the financial health and operational efficiency of this institution through a comprehensive audit. We must prevent the erosion of healthcare services and the possible negative outcomes that may arise from improper staffing decisions."

 This request by Senator Parker is reflective of his longstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of Brooklyn residents and dedicated staff at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Medical Center. The intervention of the state's financial watchdog will ensure transparency, accountability and most importantly, the preservation of essential healthcare services for the community and a long-term plan for stability. The Senator's action comes at a critical time when healthcare institutions are navigating the complexities of post-pandemic recovery. The requested audit seeks to ensure that any measures related to layoffs or headcount adjustments are carried out with utmost consideration for their long-term effects on community health services and employee livelihoods. 

Senator Parker underscored the audit’s importance this way: "This is about ensuring the health and safety of our community and securing the jobs of those who have dedicated themselves to serving it. An audit by the NYS Comptroller is a crucial step in instilling confidence that SUNY Downstate operates with both transparency and fiscal responsibility."

 The Senator is urging that the audit be carried out posthaste. 

About State Senator Kevin Parker 

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprising sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and a member of several other Senate committees including Finance, Rules, Banks, Internet, and Technology, as well as Budget and Revenue