Enhanced Safety Net Hospital Reimbursement Bill Needs Governor’s Signature

Posted December, 29 2016 by Taylor Frazier

Sign HereLast week, the Enhanced Safety Net Hospital Reimbursement Bill, which HCFANY endorsed in May 2016, was sent to Governor Cuomo for his signature. The bill provides enhanced funding to safety net hospitals that:

  • Have at least 50 percent patients enrolled in Medicaid or uninsured
  • Have at least 40 percent of inpatient discharges covered by Medicaid
  • Have no more than 25 percent of patients commercially insured; and
  • Are facilities part of one of the state’s five public health systems or federally designated as a critical access or sole community hospital

This enhanced reimbursement is critical for true safety net hospitals, such as New York City Health + Hospitals System, that serve patients most in need and are struggling financially.

The bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly in June, and the Governor has until this Saturday, December 31 to sign it into law. No signature is tantamount to a veto.

Help make sure that Governor Cuomo signs the Enhanced Safety Net Hospital Reimbursement Bill into law. Please send a message to the Governor’s Office here or call (518) 474-8390 to tell Governor Cuomo to sign the bill and help our true safety net providers continue to serve the neediest New Yorkers.