REMARKS
The ongoing fight for Downstate Hospital and health care equity
1:49:24
·
106 sec
State Senator Zellnor Myrie discusses the long-standing fight for Downstate Hospital and health care equity in New York City. He explains the challenges faced by the hospital, including its designation as a COVID-only hospital, budget cuts, and the recent closure plan.
- Downstate Hospital's struggle is emblematic of the fight for health care equity in the city
- The hospital faced financial challenges due to its COVID-only designation and subsequent budget cuts
- A commission and advisory board were proposed to determine the future of the institution, but have not yet been convened
- There is urgency to address the hospital's future before the next decision deadline in April
Zellnor Myrie
1:49:24
And and, of course, welcome my my colleague to Alpine as well, but the fight for downstate is not a new one.
1:49:30
Mhmm.
1:49:30
It is, in fact, emblematic of the fight for health care equity in the city for decades.
1:49:37
It is unfortunate that we have alumni of previous fights to keep downstate open because we have year after year after year had to fight for investments.
1:49:48
We were talking about a hospital that out of its control was designated a COVID only hospital by the previous governor.
1:49:56
As a result, lost patients, lost revenue, and and was in fact cut during the COVID years through the executive budget.
1:50:08
To then come forth with a plan, not to give it the money back that it lost, not to invest back in the community that served during the darkest days of the pandemic, but in fact, to close it down was a complete slap in the face to the community.
1:50:25
It's why we fought so hard, and I wanna give kudos to the chair of the health committee as well, my colleague, Senator Rivera, who stood really strong on this and said the only state run hospital in the entire city cannot be subject to this type of treatment.
1:50:43
It's why we came up with a plan during the budget to have a commission an advisory board that would determine the future of this institution.
1:50:52
I am sad to report that that board has not yet been convened.
1:50:58
And we have a decision to make by April of next year and we might be in the same situation that we were in last year.
1:51:05
So it is important for us to get on it and to get on it now.
