Nassau Standard

New York State Assemblyman Ari Brown, representing Cedarhurst, joined Senator Steve Rhoads and other lawmakers at a press conference held on the "million dollar staircase" in Albany. They called for immediate state intervention to address the financial difficulties facing Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). As Nassau County's sole safety net hospital and Level One Trauma Center, NUMC is crucial for providing health care services to many Long Islanders. However, it has been excluded from state budget allocations for two consecutive years.

Assemblyman Brown stated, "NUMC is a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents, serving those on Medicaid, Medicare and the uninsured. It is beyond unacceptable that New York State has not provided NUMC with any state aid despite applying for every funding opportunity available. This comes despite New York State’s recent increased funding to safety net hospitals in New York City and Westchester County while providing no support to NUMC."

Despite the absence of increased funding, Brown noted that NUMC's leadership and staff have implemented significant financial reforms and operational improvements. He emphasized that it is now the state's responsibility to provide support.

The lawmakers stressed the necessity of including a dedicated funding line for NUMC in the upcoming 2025-2026 New York State Budget. They warned that failing to secure this funding would threaten the hospital's continued operation and jeopardize health care access for thousands in Nassau County.

Brown further remarked, "We cannot allow the state to abandon this vital institution. The governor and legislative leaders must act now to restore funding and ensure NUMC has the resources necessary to continue its lifesaving work. The people of Nassau County deserve nothing less."