Nassau Standard

Nassau Health Care Corporation President and CEO, Meg Ryan, has expressed disappointment following the release of the New York State Senate and Assembly's one-house budget proposals. These proposals increase the state budget by billions but fail to allocate resources for Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). According to Ryan, "The State has intentionally starved NUMC of key resources for the last five years," with aid dropping from over $180 million in 2019 to none in 2024.

Ryan criticized this decision, stating, "You can’t say that healthcare is a human right and then play politics with the future of the only facility that serves everyone regardless of their ability to pay." She emphasized that NUMC has implemented financial reforms to reduce costs and improve services without resorting to layoffs.

Highlighting NUMC's role in serving at-risk communities, minorities, immigrants, and Medicaid recipients, Ryan accused legislators of ignoring these responsibilities. "Apparently members of the legislature think no one is watching or will hold them accountable," she said.

Acknowledging support from certain legislators, Ryan named Senators Rhoades, Martins, Weik, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick; Assembly members Ra, Mikulin, Blumencranz, McDonough, Durso, Norber and Brown. She also praised Assembly member Steve Stern as "the only Democrat to openly advocate for NUMC thus far."

Nassau University Medical Center remains a critical healthcare provider in Nassau County. As a Level I Trauma Center with advanced facilities and an expert medical team, it offers comprehensive services including emergency care and specialized surgeries. Affiliated with leading medical schools in the region, NUMC plays a vital role in training future healthcare professionals while focusing on patient-centered care and community outreach.