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  • REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – July 2025

REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS – July 2025

Mitchell H. Katz, MD
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
July 31, 2025

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS FACILITIES RECOGNIZE DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH

NYC Health + Hospitals facilities and nursing home sites recognized and participated in Disability Pride Month, which began on Sunday, July 13 with a Disability Unite Festival kickoff at the Central Park Naumburg Bandshell. The theme was “We Belong Here and We’re here to Stay.” The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion tabled at the festival, where more than 5,000 people attended in person. The festival was also streamed to a number of the health care System sites, where more than 770 joined virtually, including more than 90 residents and staff from our Post-Acute Care facilities. The event included speakers and live performances from Wheelchair Sports Camp, Sidiki Conde, the Disability Hip Hop Jam Featuring 4 Wheel City & Friends, and Special Performance by Austin Halls. 56 city agencies and organizations had tables at the event, and many NYC Health + Hospitals staff members were on-site to offer educational and informational materials about the high-quality care available at the system’s facilities.

HEALTH SYSTEM AND FACILITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/WOODHULL’S NEW CEO SANDRA SNEED ANNOUNCES RECENT CLINICAL LEADERSHIP TEAM APPOINTMENTS

NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull CEO Sandra Sneed announced a new era at the hospital with her recent clinical team appointments. Sneed joined the hospital in late March with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience overseeing operations for hospitals across the country. As part of the new leadership team, Wendy Wilcox, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, is the new Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) at Woodhull Hospital, and Patrick Milord, MD, MBA is the hospital’s new Chief of Anesthesia. In addition to her new role, Dr. Wilcox will continue to serve as the health care System’s Chief Women’s Health Officer. Ross MacDonald, MD, who joined the hospital in 2023, will remain as Chief Medical Officer; Dr. MacDonald previously served as CMO for the health care system’s Correctional Health Services. All of the nearly two dozen recent appointments bring extensive experience, passion and a shared vision for a hospital where high quality care meets compassion. Together, they are driving innovation in clinical care, expanding access to vital health services, and fostering an environment where staff and patients alike feel empowered.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EXPANDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO 41 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS

Just last week, the health care System announced the expansion of its Domestic Violence Shelter Mental Health Initiative, which increases access to evidence-based mental health services for families residing in the City’s domestic violence shelters. Announced in May 2023, the initiative began at 9 domestic violence shelters, building on the success of the NYC Health + Hospitals mental health program operating at the City’s five borough-based Family Justice Centers, and is now available at 41 domestic violence shelters. NYC Health + Hospitals’ staff conducted over 5,600 behavioral health appointments and served over 700 patients through this initiative since launching in late 2022. Residents of participating domestic violence shelters are now able to see a mental health specialist within one week, compared to previously waiting six months to one year for an appointment.

This $5.9 million initiative aims to support mental health services to the thousands of adults and children who receive services at the City’s domestic violence shelters. Family screenings, individual and group sessions, and medication management are provided directly on-site to adults and children in these domestic violence shelters, significantly decreasing wait-times. Behavioral health services, including therapy and psychiatric medication management is provided at no cost to the resident. The Domestic Violence Shelter Mental Health Initiative is a multi-agency collaboration between NYC Health + Hospitals, the NYC Department of Social Services/Human Resources Administration, the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, and the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN RELAUNCHES PRIDE HEALTH CENTER WITH RENEWED COMMITMENT AND ENHANCED CARE FOR NYC’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan relaunched its Pride Health Center, renewing its commitment to compassionate, affirming, and culturally responsive care for New York City’s LGBTQ+ community. Founded in 2014, the Pride Health Center at Metropolitan Hospital was the first dedicated health center for LGBTQ+ patients in a New York City municipal hospital, pioneering a standard for community-based, inclusive care. From its inception, the Pride Health Center has been a trusted sanctuary for thousands across the Tri-State area, providing compassionate, affirming, and culturally responsive care. In addition to clinical care, the Pride Health Center has helped connect its patients to essential resources including food, housing, employment, clothing, and social networks to enhance the resilience of migrants and immigrants.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS FACILITIES RANKED THE TOP PROVIDERS FOR NON-PROFIT HEALTH INSURER HEALTHFIRST

Yesterday, NYC Health + Hospitals announced that its facilities were the top provider in 2024 by overall quality rankings issued by Healthfirst, one of New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurers with over 2 million members. In a network of over 80 hospitals, including the City’s major for-profit health systems, 7 out of 10 of the Healthfirst’s highest ranking Medicaid providers were NYC Health + Hospitals facilities, and 5 out of 10 of Healthfirst’s highest ranking Medicare providers were NYC Health + Hospitals facilities. The two top performing facilities in Healthfirst’s entire network for Medicare were NYC Health + Hospitals facilities: NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania. Three of the health care System’s sites made both lists: Woodhull Hospital, NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis. Key performance measures include screenings for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer; medication adherence for statins, hypertension, and diabetes; well child visits; and patient satisfaction. 

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS STREET HEALTH OUTREACH + WELLNESS (SHOW) PROGRAM ENHANCES POINT-OF-CARE MEDICAL SERVICES

NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that its Street Health Outreach + Wellness (SHOW) mobile program has further enhanced its street-based primary care capacities with the addition of point-of-care lab testing (POCT), point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and blood draw services onboard its five mobile health units. SHOW clinicians work across New York City to offer medical, social, and behavioral health services to New Yorkers historically disconnected from care and those experiencing homelessness. These new medical services will further improve SHOW teams’ ability to evaluate and manage patient needs and reduce their barriers to critically needed care. Since the program launched in April 2021, SHOW teams have provided over 275,000 engagements with New Yorkers, forging relationships with thousands of patients and connecting them to specialty, harm reduction, social services, and primary care at the public hospital System’s five Primary Care Safety Net (PCSN) clinics.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/KINGS COUNTY COMPLETES THE FIRST VNOTES HYSTERECTOMY IN NEW YORK STATE

In another first for the health care System, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County announced the successful completion of the first VNOTES (vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) hysterectomy in New York State. The landmark procedure, performed by Dr. Concepcion Diaz-Arrastia, marks a major advancement in minimally invasive gynecologic care.

This technique combines the benefits of traditional vaginal and laparoscopic surgery by using a specialized access platform to enter the abdominal cavity through the vaginal canal—eliminating the need for any abdominal incisions. Patients benefit from reduced postoperative pain, lower infection risk, quicker recovery, decreased reliance on pain medications, and no visible scarring. From a surgical perspective, VNOTES streamlines operative times and facilitates resident training. The technique is endorsed by leading medical bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), the Cochrane Collaboration, and the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISGE). It is used in a wide range of procedures, including hysterectomy, salpingectomy, oophorectomy, ovarian cystectomy, and selected oncologic cases.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST SUCCESSFULLY TREATS BRAIN CANCER WITH NEW NON-INVASIVE, HIGHLY PRECISE RADIATION, A FIRST FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

Earlier this month, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst announced it successfully treated its first patient using a non-invasive, highly precise radiation approach called stereotactic radiosurgery, a first for the health care System. The patient had two brain metastases, or cancers that have spread to the brain, and was treated in June. The treatment uses precise, advanced imaging and radiation beams to target the cancer while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, allowing patients to go home the same day with few side effects. Previously, patients would have received whole brain radiotherapy, which treats the entire brain and requires daily treatments for 5 to 10 days. Additionally, the new treatment uses a “frameless” non-invasive device to more comfortably keep the patient’s head in the correct position without using an invasive metal frame. The care team used Elmhurst Hospital’s new TrueBeam linear accelerator. Stereotactic radiosurgery is commonly used to treat benign brain tumors, brain metastases, vascular malformations, and trigeminal neuralgia (a nerve pain condition).

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/LINCOLN LAUNCHES BARIATRIC SURGERY PROGRAM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln announced that the hospital has launched a new bariatric surgery program designed to provide advanced weight-loss solutions and improve the health and quality of life for individuals managing obesity. The bariatric surgery program at the hospital offers a range of advanced procedures, including minimally invasive laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, robotic-assisted surgeries, and endoscopic options. Endobariatric procedures, such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, intragastric balloon placement, and gastric outlet reduction, provide less invasive options, offering faster recovery, fewer complications, and effective weight loss for patients who may not be candidates for traditional bariatric surgery or prefer alternatives. The program also addresses obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, helping patients improve their overall health and well-being.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS LAUNCHES APPLICATION FOR CLINICAL LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP 2026 – 2027 PROGRAM

The Clinical Leadership Fellowship, a one-year program to develop the next generation of clinical leaders in health care quality improvement, population health, and health care administration, is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 cohort. The fellowship is open to post-residency physicians and combines both academic and hands-on experience, participation in leadership meetings, and a final project on quality improvement or population health. The fellowship teaches the skills necessary to advance strategic leadership initiatives, and provides a unique opportunity to work with decision makers at the nation’s largest municipal health care System. Physicians who have completed or are on track to complete a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education prior to July 1, 2026 can apply. The application deadline for next year’s fellowship is Friday, September 26, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS AND DCAS CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF MAJOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/LINCOLN

NYC Health + Hospitals, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completion of a comprehensive, two-phase energy retrofit project at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. The project marks the latest milestone in the agencies’ ongoing efforts to optimize energy use and decarbonize building operations by implementing technologies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

A $37 million investment, the project is expected to reduce Lincoln Hospital’s energy use and save the City nearly $1.5 million annually. The resulting emissions reduction — 5,300 metric tons of CO₂ each year — is equivalent to taking approximately 1,150 cars off the road.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST’S GLOBAL HEALTH INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst announced the appointment of Sheela Maru, MD as Director of the hospital’s Global Health Institute, and Ben McVane, MD as Assistant Director of the Institute. The Global Health Institute aims to transform care for historically excluded communities by building bridges between the hospital and communities. The institute engages in local and international partnerships, research, and educational activities that facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative solutions around the world’s most critical health issues.

YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE AT NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/JACOBI IN THE BRONX

NYC Health + Hospitals and the NYC Health Department today announced that Caring Transitions, a suicide prevention and intervention program for youth, is now available at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in the Bronx. The $2.4 million program serves high-risk youth, ages 5-17, who come to the hospital following a suicide attempt or serious suicidal behavior, and it offers comprehensive wraparound support and services for up to 90 days after they leave the hospital. The first-of-its-kind program launched last year at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and Queens, expanded earlier this year to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, and is slated to expand to NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx later this year. Since the first site launched last summer, Caring Transitions has enrolled over 80 patients and completed over 800 encounters with those youth and their caregivers.

Youth and families who enroll in the program receive a robust array of services tailored to youths with the highest risk of suicide, including peer support from other young people with lived experience of navigating the mental health system, youth support groups, and support for family members; regular sessions with a social worker to develop a safety plan and coping strategies; and assistance with navigating the systems of care, including ongoing treatment after the program ends and community-based resources. The Caring Transitions program helps youth and caregivers with identifying risk factors and warning signs, such as previous suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, persistent sadness, social isolation, self-harm, trauma and substance abuse, as these are crucial for suicide prevention. The multidisciplinary teams are composed of a medical director, youth peer and family advocates, social workers, and transition coordinators. Care is available regardless of the patient’s health insurance status, ability to pay, or immigration status.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS EMPLOYEE AND FACILITY RECOGNITIONS

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN IS THE FIRST HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION WORLDWIDE TO EARN THE PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE WITH DISTINCTION DESIGNATION

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the first health care organization worldwide to receive the Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This global recognition underscores the hospital’s commitment to cultivating a positive practice environment that empowers nurses and enhances patient outcomes. With this announcement, Metropolitan Hospital becomes one of just over 200 Pathway to Excellence health care organizations worldwide—an acknowledgment of its leadership in creating a culture of shared decision-making, safety, well-being, and professional development. The new Pathway to Excellence with Distinction designation recognizes the highest performing Pathway organizations around the world and is based on validation from the nursing workforce.

The Pathway to Excellence designation is a rigorous, evidence-based evaluation spanning six standards: leadership, shared decision-making, safety, quality, well-being, and professional development. Metropolitan Hospital’s submission included 407 pages of documentation, 27 narratives, and over 100 elements of performance detailing nurse-led initiatives focused on quality of care, patient and nursing safety, and interprofessional relationships that reflect a deep investment in professional nursing practice. Results of the staff-wide Pathway survey confirmed a strong sense of belonging, protection from workplace harm, access to educational opportunities, and a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/QUEENS CELEBRATES ‘A’ SAFETY GRADE WITH EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENT

NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens achieved an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, recognized as the gold standard measure of patient safety, uses up to 30 national performance measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and other supplemental data sources to produce a single letter grade representing a hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors. This methodology has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Patient Safety. This prestigious recognition places NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens among a select group of hospitals in New York City and nationwide, underscoring its unwavering commitment to patient safety and healthcare excellence.

AMNY METRO, POLITICSNY, AND GAY CITY NEWS’ “2025 LGBTQ+ POWER PLAYERS” RECOGNIZES MITCHELL KATZ, MD AND KEN LOUIE

NYC Health + Hospitals announced that NYC Health + Hospitals’ President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz, and MetroPlusHealth’s Deputy Chief Marketing & Brand Officer Ken Louie have been named to the PoliticsNY, amNY Metro, and Gay City News “2025 LGBTQ+ Power Players” recognition list. The honor celebrates both leaders as influential changemakers whose work continues to uplift and inspire the LGBTQ+ community. Dr. Katz is recognized for his pivotal leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to expand housing for vulnerable New Yorkers, and initiatives supporting those experiencing homelessness.

Louie, a former social worker turned marketing leader, led MetroPlusHealth through its first major rebrand and remains committed to motivating the next generation to prioritize their health. The 2025 LGBTQ+ Power Players list launched in 2022, and is part of a monthly series by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro on New York’s ‘Power Players’, including business executives, educators, government affairs experts, and nonprofit directors.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/KINGS COUNTY NUCLEAR CARDIOLOGY LABORATORY EARNS REACCREDITATION

NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County announced that its Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory received a three-year reaccreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Nuclear Cardiology. This recognition affirms the laboratory’s continued excellence in providing safe, effective, and high-quality imaging services to patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. Accreditation by the IAC requires an intensive application and review process and demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care. The Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory plays an essential role in diagnosing and managing cardiovascular conditions, particularly in patients undergoing treatments where cardiac function must be carefully monitored. This reaccreditation ensures that patients continue to receive the most advanced diagnostic tools administered by a highly qualified team.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/ELMHURST NAMES DR. GEORGE HAN AS DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, A NEW POSITION AT THE HOSPITAL

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst appointed of George Han, MD, PhD as the hospital’s Director of Research. This is a new position at the hospital. A nationally and internationally recognized expert in dermatology, Dr. Han brings deep clinical and academic experience to the role, along with a strong commitment to expanding diversity in clinical trials and advancing equitable access to the latest medical breakthroughs. In his new leadership position, Dr. Han will guide efforts to increase clinical trial representation among communities traditionally underrepresented in research. Elmhurst Hospital has already taken strides in this area by participating in a clinical trial focused on eczema in skin of color, underscoring the importance of inclusive innovation in care. Dr. Han currently serves as an attending at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/KINGS COUNTY RECERTIFIED BY THE JOINT COMMISSION AS A THROMBECTOMY-CAPABLE STROKE CENTER

NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County today announced it has once again achieved Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission. This prestigious re-certification highlights the hospital’s ongoing excellence in performing mechanical thrombectomy and delivering expert post-procedural care to patients experiencing large vessel occlusive ischemic strokes. Thrombectomy-capable status is awarded to hospitals that meet The Joint Commission’s rigorous requirements, which include round-the-clock availability of neuro-interventionists and neurosurgical support, documented thresholds for procedure volume, standardized performance metrics, and structured emergency response protocols. The Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care, focused on advancing patient safety and quality improvement across health systems. Its certification ensures consistent, high-quality treatment and superior patient outcomes.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK RECOGNIZES THREE NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS CEOS ON 2025 “BROOKLYN POWER 100” LIST

NYC Health + Hospitals announced that NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull CEO Sandra Sneed, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health CEO Svetlana Lipyanskaya, MPA, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County CEO Sheldon McLeod were recognized by City & State New York in their “Brooklyn Power 100” list for 2025. The annual recognition list highlights accomplished leaders across a range of industries with significant political influence who have shaped the lives of New Yorkers in Brooklyn and beyond. Sneed, Lipyanskaya, and McLeod are celebrated as trailblazers who led their respective facilities through multiple crises, all while continuing to deliver quality health care and acting as trusted messengers for their community members. City & State is the premier media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy.

ARTS IN MEDICINE UPDATE

NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE UNVEILS NEW COMMUNITY MURAL

Yesterday, NYC Health + Hospitals unveiled a new mural as part of the Community Mural Project run by the health system’s Arts in Medicine department. The mural, Light and Compassion at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, was developed by artist Josh Sarantitis through a series of focus groups with community members, staff and patients and brought to life at a workshop where the community created cyanotypes together. Light and Compassion is one of 3 new murals being created this year, for a total of 45 murals created at NYC Health + Hospitals since 2019.

Light and Compassion channels the search for hope through compassionate care of self and others. The mural is the physical culmination of focused printmaking workshops with NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue staff, administrators and the public who experimented with the cyanotype process. Cyanotypes are one of the earliest photographic processes from the 19th century which create dynamic and fantastic blue impressions using the power of iron salts and UV light.

METROPLUSHEALTH UPDATE

METROPLUSHEALTH AND NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS STRENGTHEN QUALITY AND VALUE-BASED PERFORMANCE

MetroPlusHealth and NYC Health + Hospitals continue to advance their high-impact, NYS-approved Value-Based Contract (VBC) that combines quality care and financial incentives across Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, HIV SNP, and HARP lines of business. This collaboration is central to driving measurable improvements in care delivery and maximizing New York State’s Quality Incentive Awards (QIA) scores.

In 2024, NYC Health + Hospitals sites demonstrated strong performance across several key HEDIS/QARR measures. Year-over-year gains were recorded in Breast Cancer Screening, Child Immunizations, Diabetic Eye Exams, Adolescent Immunizations, and Well-Child Visits—many reaching the 90th percentile. These improvements are especially important given that QIA scoring is heavily weighted toward clinical effectiveness, with the highest-performing plans earning the greatest financial return.

The 2025 VBC arrangement reflects updated clinical priorities, including the adoption of Glycemic Status Assessment (GSD), expansion of Colorectal Cancer Screening and Viral Load Suppression to broader populations, and the inclusion of Follow-Up After ED Visit for Mental Illness (FUM). These changes ensure alignment with evolving state benchmarks and population health needs.

MetroPlusHealth supports this work through actionable data, Epic-based provider prompts, and member engagement tools like the MetroPlus Member Rewards Program. With 80% of QIA dollars tied to clinical performance and 20% to member experience, this partnership continues to strengthen both quality outcomes and financial sustainability for the NYC Health + Hospitals system.

Looking ahead, MetroPlusHealth will continue to collaborate closely with NYC Health + Hospitals Central Office and site leadership to reduce care gaps, improve member experience, and ensure that both organizations remain competitive in statewide quality rankings. This includes a shared focus on new priority areas such as developmental screening, depression screening and follow-up, and prenatal/postpartum care.

METROPLUSHEALTH OPENS COMMUNITY OFFICE IN BRIGHTON BEACH, FURTHER EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE IN BROOKLYN

MetroPlusHealth opened its second Brooklyn-based community office at 225 Brighton Beach Avenue, further expanding access to culturally competent, people-first care in South Brooklyn. The new site serves as a vital resource hub for the local community, offering insurance enrollment information and support and access to essential health and social services. MetroPlusHealth providers are available to support chronic condition management, preventative care and behavioral health referrals, helping address disparities driven by limited access to care. Insurance assistance and essential services are offered in collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health and other local community partners.

The office will serve as a year-round center for care and connection, offering: Weekly community events and health screenings, monthly food distributions, Facebook Live sessions with health specialists, cultural recognition events, quarterly wellness and spa days for residents aged 65 and older, free tax preparation programs, meet-and-greets with elected officials, and SNAP enrollment partnerships.

External Affairs Update

City

The NYC FY26 Budget has been passed at $115.9B. As part of the Adopted Budget, the System received a total of $59.3M in capital funding. The Borough Presidents contributed $19.2M, the City Council allocated $22M, and the Mayor’s Office provided $18M to support the NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue PICU program. We are grateful for our champions and their support of our system.

State

To respond to the impact of HR 1 on NYS, the Governor recently convened a cabinet meeting and has indicated the state is assessing these impacts, and has directed State agencies to prepare comprehensive strategies to help limit the long-term damage to vital programs facing federal cuts. The Governor reports she will manage the current fiscal year impacts through the statutory power granted to her by this year’s state budget.

On the legislative front, of the 854 bills that passed both houses of the NYS Legislature and thus far only 189 have been acted upon by the Governor. No bills have been vetoed thus far, and the Governor has until the end of the calendar year to consider the remaining bills. Most of the health care bills we are tracking have not been delivered to the Governor, and External Affairs is working with our subject matter experts to determine if the System should be asking the Governor to (1) sign, (2) veto, or (3) amend bills impacting the System.  

Federal

Earlier this month, H.R. 1 was enacted by Congress and signed into law. This bill makes extensive cuts to Medicaid and severely restricts eligibility for the Essential Plan, including: 

  • Restrictions on eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits (PTCs) and the basic health plan (in New York, the Essential Plan for many lawfully present immigrants.
  • 80-hour/month work requirement and recertification and administrative burdens for Medicaid eligibility, making it more difficult for beneficiaries to keep their coverage. 
  • Restrictions on new State Directed Payments (SDPs), which allow states to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, and cuts to existing SDPs. 
  • A moratorium on new provider taxes and cuts to existing provider tax rates.

Implementation dates vary, and some provisions begin as early as next year. We will continue to advocate with our partners to delay the implementation and soften the impact to our system. Our mission will not change due to these cuts, and we will not back away from serving New York City. We are committed to maintaining stability for our system and our patients. This includes a commitment to maximizing efficiencies within our system while maintaining the high quality of care that our patients deserve. Our system has proven that we can meet challenges head on, over and over again. 

Community Affairs

The Community Affairs team hosted 30 students from the Bronx High School of Science on July 15 for a Career Exploration day. The students visited 50 Water Street and met SVP and Chief External Affairs Officer, Deborah Brown. They participated in a fireside chat with Dr. Helen Arteaga, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, and Okenfe Lebarty, AVP of Community Affairs, and a panel discussion which included staff from various departments at Central Office, including Government Affairs, Women’s Health, Communications and Marketing, and Faith-Based Initiatives. Each panelist shared their journey and insight into their career paths at NYC Health + Hospitals.

The Community Affairs team also hosted the 21st Annual Marjorie Matthews celebration at NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler on July 17. Over 200 Community Advisory Board Members and Auxiliary members attended from across the system, in addition to staff and the CEOs of some of the facilities. This year, the recipients of the Agnes Abraham Humanitarian Award, which recognizes volunteers who go above and beyond for their community, were Helen Sears, a CAB member at Elmhurst Hospital, and Claudette Pilgrim, an Auxiliary member at Woodhull Hospital.

REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES

This is the Quarterly Report on Real Estate License Agreements not Requiring Board Approval (FY25 Q4). The below summarizes real estate license transactions less than $5M over its entire term.  This covers April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025.

  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem food services vendor Tasty Picks is licensing 2,133 square feet in the 1st floor of the MLK building for $84,000 annually with a 3% escalation each year. The term is 5 years for a total of $445,967. This is based on third-party fair market value assessment of neighborhood and food service market.
  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham is leasing space for clinical services in the South Jamaica Multi-Service Center, 114-02 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, 11434. This is a City-owned building. It is leasing three room for a total of 9,900 square feet. The term is for one year for a total of $277,200. This is at fair or below fair market value.
  • NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County food services vendor Tasty Picks is licensing 370 square feet in the D Building for $14,800 annually with a 3% escalation each year. The term is 5 years for a total of $78,575. This is based on third-party fair market value assessment of neighborhood and food service market.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SYSTEM

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