In the midst of the financial crisis that is certain to impact the hospital industry, the federal and state governments acknowledged HHC's excellence in serving New Yorkers in need by awarding funding grants totaling more than $53 million.

The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on September 30th a $30 million grant to support HHC's WTC Environmental Health Center. The WTC Center, located at Bellevue and Elmhurst Hospitals, and in Gouverneur Healthcare Services, offers medical and mental health services to children and adults affected by the events of 9/11. HHC was the sole recipient of the competitive grant.

"Our WTC Environmental Health Center has more than 3,000 individuals under care for 9/11 related illness," said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. "Every week, more New Yorkers continue to step forward with persistent wheezing, shortness of breath, stomach ailments and other medical or emotional problems related to their exposure to the 9/11 attack and its aftermath."

On the same day, New York State announced that HHC will receive $23.2 million in Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL) grants to expand the availability of primary care, cut duplicative services in hospitals, "rightsize" nursing homes and consolidate services from healthcare providers. The grant funding is distributed among HHC hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostic and treatment centers (D&TCs) and will include $2.65 million to increase capacity for dental services at the D&TCs, $6.3 million to enhance ER services at Coney Island Hospital, $3.8 million to expand ambulatory care capacity at Woodhull Hospital, and $9.5 million to create a master plan for restructuring long term care services.

"HEAL NY projects support the core of New York's health care reforms to bring efficiency and effectiveness to New York's healthcare system," said Governor David A. Paterson.

To learn more about the New York State HEAL grants visit http://www.ny.gov.  Visit nyc.gov/hhc  to learn more about HHC's WTC Environmental Health Center.

October 2008