September 4, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $8 MILLION FOR OSWEGO COUNTY HEALTH CARE SERVICES
HEAL NY Funds to Support Primary Care Needs for Rural Residents
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of $8.34 million in grants for Oswego County. The funding is available through Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY) program, which is administered by the State Department of Health (DOH). The grants will support the restructuring of primary and urgent care services for more than 30,000 residents in Oswego, Central Square and Fulton.
“I am committed to the health of all New Yorkers and improving access to quality health care is central to this priority,” Governor Paterson said. “The HEAL NY funding announced today will allow health care services to continue, while also supporting improvements.”
The plan to restructure was developed by the Northern Oswego County Health Services, Oswego County Opportunities and Oswego Hospital. The funding will support a community-wide strategy to stabilize, sustain and grow Oswego County’s primary and preventive care system, especially for underserved individuals. The goal is to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality primary health care services to county residents and to prevent an over reliance on hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers for primary and preventive care.
DOH Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “The HEAL NY funding will support this unique initiative among the three major primary care providers in Oswego County. The plan will address the urgent care needs of Oswego County residents, especially in Central Square, while creating a comprehensive primary care network to improve access to needed health care services. The State Health Department supports this collaborative plan to maintain the primary care network in Oswego County.”
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: “This is a tremendous investment in rural health care to provide peace of mind for thousands of residents who have been concerned about the future of the primary care services they depend on. Oswego Health, Oswego Opportunities and Northern Oswego County Health Services have stepped up to address a need and I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Health to ensure access to affordable, quality health care for residents in Central Square, Fulton and throughout Oswego County.”
