Governor Hochul Secures Significant Funding for Hudson Valley Hospital System
As Washington Republicans Threaten Future of Health Care, Governor Hochul Secures Significant Funding for Hudson Valley Hospital System
Westchester Medical Center Set to Receive Up to $100 Million Thanks to Governor Hochul’s Commitment
Highlights $2.6 Billion Investment to Strengthen New York's Safety Net Hospitals Through Six New Partnerships
Governor Hochul Presents Funding Award to President and CEO of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network Dr. David Lubarsky
Governor Kathy Hochul today traveled to Westchester Medical Center (WMC) to highlight the transformative investments the state is making in hospitals and health care partnerships that serve vulnerable patients across New York. The Governor was joined by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins on a tour of Westchester Medical Center where they announced that WMC will receive up to $100 million as part of the Department of Health’s Safety Net Transformation Program. The funding will be used to support the full integration of Bon Secours Charity Health System and Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley into the WMCHealth network, seamlessly streamlining operations across the system to enhance quality of care and better support patient needs. The announcement comes as the federal government has approved legislation and pushed policies that would result in massive cuts to health care and jeopardize critical services.
“Our goal is to make New York a place where people live longer, happier and healthier lives and that starts by investing in the hospital systems and health care heroes like those we met today at Westchester Medical Center,” Governor Hochul said. “While Republicans in Washington slash funds for hospitals across the country, reduce access to lifesaving services and threaten to raise insurance premiums, here in New York we are making long-term investments in the critical care all New Yorkers depend on.”
Through the transformation plan, WMC will increase its service capacity to allow more patients to receive preventive and life-saving care close to home, unify its electronic medical record system, and improve access to behavioral health, maternal, pediatric, and ambulatory care services. During the tour, the Governor visited the Heroes Wing and CT Scan room. Hospital staff delivered a presentation on adult trauma. In this visit, the Governor presented the Safety Net Transformation Program Award to President and CEO of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network Dr. David Lubarsky.
Westchester Medical Center Health Network President and CEO Dr. David Lubarsky said, “At its core, this investment is about the people we serve. It’s about ensuring that all patients and families in the Hudson Valley have access to the high-quality care they deserve, today and for generations to come. This transformational support will allow us to accelerate our integration efforts through technology and process, from vital information systems upgrades to critical support for our community hospitals, as we continue to modernize and expand care across the region. We are profoundly grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Health for their partnership and confidence in our mission.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Westchester Medical Center plays such an important role in keeping families across the Hudson Valley healthy. This funding helps make sure every New Yorker can get the care they need, close to home. It’s about supporting our hospitals so they can keep serving their communities for years to come.”
Westchester County Health Care Corporation Board of Directors Chair Zubeen Shroff said, “This investment represents far more than an infusion of resources - it’s a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to care for every person in every community we serve. Westchester Medical Center Health Network was founded on the belief that quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and that no one should be denied care because of their circumstances. With this transformative support from Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Health, we are building on that promise - strengthening our hospitals, modernizing our systems, and ensuring that families across the Hudson Valley have access to world-class care, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Strategic investments that address the needs of hospitals and health organizations will enable health professionals to better care for more New Yorkers. By encouraging the Westchester Medical Center Health Network to partner with the Bon Secours Charity Health System and the Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley, the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program will allow Westchester Medical Center to optimize its operations, make its care services more accessible, and enhance its residency program. I thank Governor Hochul for always working with the Senate Democratic Majority to improve health outcomes in New York.”
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am pleased that Westchester Medical Center will receive up to $100 million for the Health Safety Net Transformation Program that will bring healthcare organizations together, leading to higher quality of care for New Yorkers. This is a great investment for residents in the Hudson Valley, and across New York, so they have access to necessary healthcare services to help them live safer and healthier lives.”
“Our goal is to make New York a place where people live longer, happier and healthier lives and that starts by investing in the hospital systems and health care heroes like those we met today at Westchester Medical Center." Governor Kathy Hochul
State Senator Pete Harckham said, “Many New York residents face immense challenges when it comes to receiving proper health care and preventative care. Recognizing that our state government and local health care partners can work together to achieve better, more efficient health services for everyone, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature made a major investment in the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program, and I am heartened by the announcement of this important consolidation of services at Westchester Medical Center.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin said, “I’m thrilled to see these strategic investments strengthening our safety net hospitals so that New Yorkers can access high-quality healthcare. Westchester Medical Center’s full integration of the systems of nine major New York hospitals and health centers will help modernize and improve operations, ensuring that resources are directed to patient care. I thank Governor Hochul for her steadfast commitment to building a resilient and equitable health care system that serves communities across our state.”
Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “At a time when the federal government is placing everyone’s health care at risk, New York State is fortifying our health care system in the Hudson Valley region. The Westchester Medical Center Health Network took on the task of stabilizing health care institutions in the Hudson Valley. The support of Governor Hochul and the Legislature with this targeted funding brings a tremendous boost to the coordination needed for regional networks to succeed. With programs like the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program, Governor Hochul and the NYS Department of Health are providing a framework to respond to the federal cuts that will harm all New Yorkers.”
Assemblymember Chris Burdick said, “Investment in safety net hospitals is critically important at this juncture, given the anticipated loss of insurance for up to 1.5 million New Yorkers who will be forced to utilize emergency rooms for their healthcare needs. I am delighted that the Governor has given these hospitals -- including Westchester Medical Center, which serves my district -- such high priority. These funds will help to ensure that WMC is not only able to continue providing quality care, but to enhance the overall patient experience.”
Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky said, “The Health Safety Net Transformation Program could not come at a more critical time, as we brace for federal healthcare cuts of more than $7.5 billion to New York State. I am grateful that Westchester Medical Center will be a beneficiary of this program. It is an investment that will strengthen our region's healthcare system for the long term, and ensure that our most vulnerable residents have continued access to care.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester Medical Center is a lifeline for so many residents in our County who rely on high-quality, compassionate care. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership in recognizing the vital role WMC plays in Westchester and for investing in its long-term strength. I also applaud WMC for expanding its service capacity so that more patients can receive preventive and life-saving care close to home. Unifying their electronic medical record system will greatly enhance access to behavioral health, maternal, pediatric, and ambulatory care services. I was happy to tour the facility with the Governor today and see firsthand the transformative investments being made in the hospital—and what they mean for our residents.”
Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, “Today’s announcement reflects Governor Hochul’s strong commitment to expanding health care access across our region. As a rural county, Ulster County depends on safety net hospitals to serve residents who might otherwise struggle to get the care they need. This funding will support vital improvements — from electronic medical record integration to expanded residency programs and enhanced behavioral health, maternal, pediatric, and ambulatory services. We’re deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued leadership in strengthening safety net hospitals throughout the Mid-Hudson region.”
About the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program
Established in the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program incentivizes partnerships between safety net hospitals and health care organizations. The program provides strategic capital and operating support and regulatory flexibility as needed to improve the resilience and sustainability of safety-net hospitals and expand access to high quality care. Earlier this year, the Governor announced the first eight projects under this program. And earlier this month, the Governor announced six new partnerships totaling over $2.6 billion in capital and operating dollars. These partnerships will help improve the quality of care provided by these safety net hospitals and stabilize their operations for long-term sustainability, ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to high quality care. This announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s historic investments in New York’s health care system, including the largest Medicaid rate increases in decades.
About Westchester Medical Center
Westchester Medical Center (WMC) is a safety net hospital serving one in three Medicaid members in the Hudson Valley. They are the only Level 1 trauma center in the region. Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley operates both Health Alliance Hospital and Margaretville Memorial Hospital. Health Alliance is the only acute care hospital in Ulster County and Margaretville is a rural critical access hospital in the Catskill Mountain area. Bon Secours Charity Health System (Orange and Rockland counties) operates Bon Secours Community Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and St. Anthony Community Hospital.
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