Lawmakers, Health Care Heroes, & Hospital Leadership Rally in Albany for Support for Nassau University Medical Center

Albany, NY - Today, members of the State Legislature gathered with Nassau University Medical Center workers and leadership team in a spirited rally calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislative leaders to take immediate action in the 2025-2026 New York State Budget to provide essential funding for Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), the county’s only safety net hospital and Level One Trauma Center. Despite its vital role in serving hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders, NUMC has received zero state aid or distressed hospital funds for the last two years—a glaring and unacceptable failure by New York State.

This hospital provides lifesaving care to our most vulnerable residents, with over 80% of its patients on Medicaid, Medicare, or uninsured. NUMC is Nassau County’s only public hospital, its only Level One Trauma Center, and home to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility. Yet, NUMC has not received any state aid for 2024 or 2025 despite applying for every funding opportunity available. This comes despite New York State’s recent award of a Medicaid waiver which will help distribute $2.2B over 4 years to safety net hospitals in New York City and Westchester County while providing no support to NUMC. 

Despite these challenges, NUMC’s current leadership has demonstrated remarkable strength and success. The hospital has implemented responsible financial reforms, increased efficiencies which have cut over $100 million from the Hospital’s operating deficit, and has the full backing of its hardworking employees. The commitment of NUMC’s doctors, nurses, and staff has never wavered—but without state funding, they cannot continue to do the impossible.

Lawmakers and advocates are urging New York State to immediately correct this oversight by including dedicated funding for NUMC in the final 2025-2026 New York State budget. The state cannot continue to ignore its responsibility to support this essential institution, which provides lifesaving care to the community. 

“Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) serves as a critical lifeline for the most vulnerable populations in Nassau County and is an irreplaceable part of Long Island’s healthcare network. As a public “Safety Net Hospital”, NUMC is charged to treat any patient regardless of their ability to pay. Nearly 90% of their patients are Medicare, Medicaid or have no ability to pay. As a result, it relies upon State funding to survive. However, since 2019, NUMC has been denied hundreds of millions of dollars of State funding received by safety net hospitals in other areas. NUMC operates essential services, including a burn center for local first responders like myself, a Level 1 trauma center, and a newly established cardiac catheterization lab, all while managing with a limited budget. Even the President of the United States relies on this facility during his visits. In just the past year, the new leadership team at NUMC executed an exemplary financial turnaround cutting its operating deficit by $100 million, yet the state's response remains woefully inadequate, threatening its long-term stability. While hospitals in Westchester, Brooklyn, and the Bronx have received funding, NUMC continues to be overlooked. It is imperative that the governor and legislative leaders put politics aside, step up, and do the right thing for the people. The 1.4 million residents of Nassau County deserve equitable support. It is time to take action and allocate the necessary funds to NUMC in this year’s budget.  Stop playing politics with our healthcare!” said Senator Steve Rhoads, District 5. 

NHCC President, CEO and Chief Legal Officer Megan Ryan, Esq., said, “NUMC is a beacon of hope for hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders each year. With the state budget projected to be increased by billions of dollars, and other hospitals receiving millions in aid, the $0 NUMC received last year in state grants is totally unacceptable. Additionally, New York State continues to illegally shortchange the hospital by 50% of its Medicaid assistance, putting Nassau County’s most vulnerable at further risk. We’re not asking for more funding, but less than historical allocations. We’re asking to be treated fairly. That shouldn’t be a politically-charged or partisan issue. The State has a legal responsibility to provide NUMC with aid to fulfill its mission as a safety-net hospital. We need the leaders of the Senate and Assembly – and Governor Hochul – to come together and include unrestricted aid for NUMC in this year’s budget. Anything less risks creating a health care crisis in Nassau County.”

“New York State cannot continue to turn its back on NUMC—this crisis demands immediate action. The state must step up and secure dedicated funding for NUMC in the final ‘25-‘26 budget. Anything less is a blatant abandonment of Long Islanders who rely on this hospital for critical care. Without a firm financial commitment, NUMC is at risk of collapse, and we refuse to sit idly by while our community’s healthcare lifeline is dismantled. Nassau Needs NUMC—losing it would be catastrophic, leaving every Nassau resident exposed and unprotected,” said Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, District 9. 

“New York state—rightfully so—allocates funding to support distressed and safety-net hospitals, yet NUMC has been left out for years. Without direct state support, its ability to provide critical care to Nassau residents is at serious risk. This is truly a failure to prioritize the health-care needs of our region. Nassau residents contribute their tax dollars to New York state just like every other region, and it’s only right that those dollars are reinvested in their health care. I was proud to stand with NUMC staff today, and I will continue to amplify their voices as we head into the final state budget negotiations in the coming week,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra, District 19. 

“Nassau County needs Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and I am proud to stand with my fellow colleagues, NUMC employees and the community to support funding for NUMC in this budget cycle. This hospital plays a vital role in the health care system for Nassau County residents and deserves our unwavering support. NUMC must receive the state aid necessary to ensure families in need have access to the medical treatment and care they deserve,” said Assemblyman John Mikulin, District 17. 

“Nassau University Medical Center is a vital resource for our community, and we cannot allow it to continue struggling without state support. I want to thank Senator Rhoads for bringing this issue to the forefront, and I urge the state to provide the necessary funding so NUMC can continue its lifesaving work for Nassau County,” said Assemblyman Ari Brown. District 20. 

**The full press conference can be viewed on Senator Rhoads’ Facebook page**

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