Washington,
D.C. – New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a more than
$39 million increase for New York hospitals serving uninsured and
vulnerable populations. Senator Gillibrand helped secure the federal
dollars in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. New York State
will now have more than $1.6 billion to pay qualifying hospitals this
year.
“Families
across New York without health care coverage often rely on treatment at
our local hospitals,” said Senator Gillibrand. “During these tough
economic times, it is more important than ever that our families
continue to receive the care they need. But our hospitals cannot be
left to foot the bill. These federal dollars will help keep hospital
doors open to the people who need care most.”
More
than 45 million Americans, including 2.5 million New Yorkers, are
uninsured. Yet the hospitals that serve the most vulnerable populations
are struggling. Hospitals in New York City are reporting job cuts and
possible additional layoffs. These hospitals need additional federal
funding in order to continue to provide care to uninsured families.
Hospitals
that serve a disproportionate share of low-income or uninsured
individuals and are called Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH). New
York State will receive the federal dollars and make payments to DSH
hospitals to account for higher costs associated with treating
uninsured and low-income patients. The funding comes out of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
Senator
Gillibrand has been a leader in promoting health care access and
affordability throughout her time in Congress. As a mother of two
young children, she understands the struggle families face to find
affordable, quality care. Now she is working with President Obama and
his administration to fix America’s broken health care system to
provide affordable, quality health care to every single American.
In
February, Senator Gillibrand worked with President Obama to reauthorize
the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which was then signed
into law. This law will provide 11 million lower and middle income
children access to basic health care coverage.
Senator Gillibrand was
a fierce advocate for this law, voting in the House of Representatives
seven times to expand the program. In fact, she was the only Member of
Congress to vote in both the House and the Senate for the expansion
that was signed into law, and she joined President Obama at the White
House when he signed the bill.