Mental Health Update

Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced funding of $187 million from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program for several projects around the State. We are very pleased that our MHA in Westchester County was one of the award recipients.

We very much appreciate the Governor supporting these projects especially those that have strong links to behavioral health. As we continue to have discussions about the State’s investments in health care, we look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature around the engine that really drives the success of these projects—our human service not for profit workforce.  As the Comptroller’s report highlighted earlier this week, our human service workforce makes an average of only $30,000 a year. We rely on that workforce to, not only keep our most vulnerable citizen’s safe, but also help provide support to insure individual recovery.  We must continue to advocate for this workforce and all the human service not profits.

 Governor Cuomo Announces $187 Million in Funding to Strengthen and Preserve Access to High-Quality Health Care

25 Awards Will Support Essential Health Care Services in New York State

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $187 million in funding to support 25 statewide projects that will protect and transform New York State’s health care system. This funding from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the State.

“While the federal administration continues its years-long campaign to curb critical healthcare protections, we are doubling down on our commitment to ensuring New Yorkers have access to the high-quality and affordable care they need,” Governor Cuomo said. “These investments will continue to build a modern, sustainable and fully integrated health care infrastructure centered on improving the well-being of all New Yorkers.”

“Access to affordable, high-quality health care is a basic human right,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “This investment will improve access and deliver expanded services to enhance patient care and long-term needs of communities. While the federal government continues to attack the right to health care, we are committed to the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.”

For more information about the 25 awarded providers, the specific funding awarded and details about the awarded projects, click on the region below:

This initial round of funding was awarded pursuant to a 2019-20 State Budget amendment to the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program, which authorized the Department of Health to allocate up to $300 million of the $525 million of Health Care Facility Transformation Program funds authorized in the 2018-19 Enacted Budget to support project applications that were not awarded grants during the previous round of funding announced in February 2019.  These awards continue the State’s commitment to preserve and expand essential health care services in communities throughout New York State. Additional awards will be announced in the coming months. Requests for applications for the next round of Health Care Facility Transformation Program awards will be issued later this year.

The program is administered by the Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and will help support the objectives of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program. The purpose of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Program is to reduce health care costs and improve the health outcomes of New Yorkers by expanding access to inpatient, primary, preventative and other ambulatory care services as part of regionally integrated health care delivery systems. The Delivery System Reform Incentive Program’s primary goal is to reduce avoidable hospital visits by 25 percent by 2020. The Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program awards are also focused on projects which will help ensure the financial sustainability of safety-net health care providers, and the preservation or expansion of essential health care services, including integrated care and behavioral health.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York State remains committed to making sure our health care partners have the resources necessary to further integrate and modernize the delivery of health care services to patients throughout the State.  Thanks to these investments, we will continue to shape and enhance health care for future generations.”

DASNY President and CEO Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell said, “New York is a center of excellence in health care, and DASNY is proud to support this industrial engine as it continues to innovate – improving patient outcomes and driving our economy. By investing in and providing quality, affordable care, we are building stronger, healthier communities.”

NYS Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan, said, “The funding awards announced by Governor Cuomo today will help ensure that vulnerable New Yorkers living with mental illness, substance abuse disorders and other healthcare issues will have access to high-quality treatment and services.  The Governor is transforming, expanding and improving the State’s healthcare system for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, “Providing services for substance use disorders is a vital part of the health care continuum in New York State. This funding will help to further expand and enhance these important services, and continue to advance Governor Cuomo’s mission to make New York a leader in the health care field.”

Contact the Governor’s Press Office

Contact us by phone:

Albany:  (518) 474 – 8418

New York City:  (212) 681 – 4640

https://www.dasny.org/news/2019/governor-cuomo-announces-204-million-funding-strengthen-and-preserve-access-high-quality