Adopt and implement a strong and meaningful definition of the safety net for the current New York state Medicaid waiver.
Why is this important?
There have been longstanding inequities in how hospitals have been funded through past Medicaid waivers and other decisions. Over the past ten years, we have witnessed the closure of 19 hospitals in New York City, with many of those closings occurring in low-income, immigrant, and communities of color. Financial distress has been one of the major causes of these closures.
Right now, central Brooklyn is experiencing a health care crisis that includes hospitals teetering on the brink of closure. These closures would exacerbate already existing disparities in access and quality care.
Any strong definition should then be based on the following criteria: 50% Medicaid and Uninsured patients in all services with a minimum of 70% Medicaid and Uninsured for outpatient services.
