FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 4, 2008

STATE AWARDS $5 MILLION TO RICHMOND UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Cash Infusion will Alleviate short-term Cash Shortage and Ensure Quality Health Care for Staten Island Residents

Governor David A. Paterson, Staten Island legislators, and Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., today announced that New York State will provide $5 million to the Richmond University Medical Center.  The infusion of $5 million will help Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) cope with an immediate short-term cash crunch.

“As one of only three hospitals on Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center is a much-needed provider of medical care for its residents,” said Governor Paterson. “I appreciate the assistance from our colleagues in the Legislature and from Health Commissioner Daines to help RUMC with its immediate concerns so that it can continue to provide quality health care.”

Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “This is a collaborative effort pulling together resources from the Executive and Legislative branches to support this facility through a particularly difficult period.”

Approximately $2.5 million of the grant comes from the Executive Branch, $1.25 million from the Senate, and $1.25 million from the Assembly. The funding will be included in the 2008-09 budget, which is currently being negotiated.

There is an additional effort under way to address the facility’s long-term need for capital investment. The Department of Health is working with elected officials from New York City and Staten Island as well as private investors to refinance the RUMC debt and provide investments to upgrade the facility.

Senator Andrew Lanza said: “I want to thank Governor Paterson for recognizing the importance of doing all we can to save Richmond University Medical Center. It is critically important to the people of Staten Island that the hospital continues to provide vital health care services. These funds represent an emergency infusion which should be helpful toward that end. It is important that the doctors, nurses and residents of Staten Island know that this help is on the way. Again, I’m grateful to Governor Paterson and Assemblyman Cusick that we were able to work together to deliver this assistance to the hospital.”

Senator Diane Savino said: “I would like to thank the Governor and the leaders of both houses for recognizing the importance of RUMC to the people of Staten Island.”

Assemblyman Michael Cusick said: “This is something we have been working on for a long time. Securing this funding for Richmond University Medical Center will go far in providing the community the quality health care it needs and deserves.”

Assemblymember Janele Hyer-Spencer said: “This much needed infusion of money will ensure that RUMC can continue to provide the quality health care our families need. Assemblyman Cusick played a key role in securing this funding and should be commended for his leadership.”

Assemblyman Matthew Titone said: “Richmond University Medical Center will be able to meet its financial challenges and, most importantly, continue to provide the kind of quality care the community deserves.  Working in a collaborative effort to secure this funding, led by the efforts of Assemblyman Mike Cusick, is a victory not only for the North Shore but for all of Staten Island.”

Assemblyman Louis R. Tobacco said:

"The funding that we secured is a first step in helping address Staten Island's critical health care needs.  I am pleased that I could do my part in securing this much needed funding for Richmond University Medical Center in this year's state budget.  RUMC is a vital part of Staten Islands' healthcare system and delivers the highest quality of care to the nearly half-million patients it serves.  I look forward to working with Governor Paterson and my legislative colleagues in the future to pass additional measures to help ensure that we do not lose this vital facility.”

Richmond University Medical Center is a 440-bed health care facility on Staten Island, serving more than 450,000 residents. It also serves as an academic medical center of New York Medical College in Valhalla.

RUMC is a Level 1 Trauma Center, a state-designated stroke center, and a regional perinatal center for high-risk expectant mothers. The facility also has a sleep disorders center, a wound care center, and a pain management center. RUMC and Staten Island University Hospital together operate the Heart Institute of Staten Island, one of the leading cardiac care centers serving metropolitan area.

RUMC had been part of the St. Vincent’s hospital system before it declared bankruptcy. Bayonne Hospital then took over the facility, but Bayonne itself declared bankruptcy within a year, leaving RUMC as a free-standing hospital.  With these changes in ownership and operation, RUMC has had no capital investment over the past decade. RUMC is one of only three hospitals in Staten Island; the other two hospitals are both operated as part of the North Shore Long Island Jewish System.