In New York, a significant healthcare funding issue has been highlighted by politicians, healthcare workers, and community advocates, focusing on the potential closure of SUNY Downstate Hospital in Brooklyn and the broader issue of Medicaid underfunding. The hospital, described as a lifeline for a medically underserved community in Central Brooklyn, faces closure due to insufficient state funding, with concerns raised about where its 150 daily patients will go. Advocates, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and more than 1,200 frontline workers from unions like @1199SEIU, have rallied to demand that Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) and the state legislature increase Medicaid reimbursement rates to hospitals to 100% of the cost of care, arguing that the current rate of 30% less than the cost is inadequate. These actions aim to prevent the hospital's closure, address healthcare disparities, and improve health outcomes for low-income communities in New York.
Downstate is vital to this community. It needs to stay open, not closed. I said when we rallied last week that this was a #CodeRed emergency, and I meant it. Why are we cost-cutting rather than expanding care in Brooklyn? #BrooklynNeedsDownstate https://t.co/viBg9Q1x12
We had an amazing rally today to make it clear: #BrooklynNeedsDownstate! Clergy, electeds , members & leaders from @uupinfo, @nysut, @NYSPEF, @AFTunion & others gathered in the cold to fight against the planned closure. https://t.co/AnpNZxc38F
The Rev. Al Sharpton, a local state senator and hundreds of demonstrators rallied at an endangered hospital in Brooklyn. They urged the state not to permanently close the health care centerβs doors. https://t.co/SHREjTljRX
In Brooklyn at the rally to Save Downstate Hospital. The hospital is threatened with closure due to funding, it is vital for health services in Central Brooklyn. https://t.co/jqoinpgWPS
More than 1,200 Frontline Workers and Reverend Al Sharpton Rally With Faith and Union Leaders, Elected Officials at SUNY Downstate Hospital #BrooklynNeedsDownstate Release and video: https://t.co/MvA07G9DMb https://t.co/qirsND5Zrk
Rally against plans to close SUNY Downstate Hospital in Brooklyn https://t.co/n5c9IzonsJ https://t.co/tnK9qbfFcy
Medicaid, which millions of New Yorkers rely on, is currently being severely underfunded. #TeamLynn joined with @1199SEIU and other advocates yesterday to urge the NYS Legislature to increase Medicaid reimbursements to build a more equitable healthcare system that leaves no one⦠https://t.co/DYzW9XyFwC
SUNY Downstate may close Brooklyn hospital. No one knows where its 150 daily patients will go. https://t.co/O1OoORXuTR
Standing with @1199SEIU health care workers to call on the State to fully fund the Medicaid program. Increasing New York's Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals to 100% can reduce health care disparities and improve health outcomes for low-income communities. https://t.co/0lxEr8bk9M
SUNY Downstate has long been a lifeline to a medically underserved community in Brooklyn. The state wants to shutter it. Can Black political leaders use their power change that, Errol Louis wonders. https://t.co/qzCuckkbzV
OPINION | Protect Downstate and protect this community Generations of Central Brooklynites have been forced to deal with a harsh reality β a legacy of neglect, disinvestment and sometimes outright hostility from our government, @SenatorMyrie writes. https://t.co/ZsoGXXY66t
Today, I joined my colleagues and advocates to sound the alarm. We are facing a critical issue: Medicaid currently pays hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of care in New York. We need @GovKathyHochul to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates in NYS. #medicaidequitynow https://t.co/3AOWjl45Ge