Westchester Medical Center Set To Get Windfall Of Up To $100 Million

VALHALLA, NY — One of the region's most important medical institutions is about to get a big financial boost, at a time when hospitals are facing unprecedented challenges.

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Westchester Medical Center (WMC) on Thursday to highlight the investments New York is making in hospitals and health care partnerships that serve vulnerable patients across the state.

During a tour of WMC, the governor and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins announced that WMC will receive up to $100 million as part of the Department of Health's Safety Net Transformation Program. The funding will go towards supporting the full integration of Bon Secours Charity Health System and Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley into the WMCHealth network, aiming to streamline operations across the system in order to improve quality of care and better support patient needs.

The plan will allow WMC to 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, according to the governor's office.

The state noted that the announcement comes as the federal government has approved legislation and promoted policies that would result in large cuts to health care and potentially 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," 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."

As part of the tour, the governor visited the Heroes Wing and CT Scan room, and hospital staff delivered a presentation on adult trauma. In addition, the governor presented the "Safety Net Transformation Program Award" to Dr. David Lubarsky, the president and CEO of the WMC Health Network.

"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," Lubarsky said. "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."