skip to main content

Friday, June 2, 2023

play newscast audioPlay

A Wisconsin group criticizes two of its members of Congress, a new report says the Phoenix area cannot meet its groundwater demands, and Nevada's sporting community sends its priorities to the governor.

play newscast audioPlay

The Senate aims to get the debt limit spending bill to President Biden's desk quickly, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis makes a campaign stop in Iowa, and a new survey finds most straight adults support LGBTQ+ rights.

play newscast audioPlay

Oregon may expand food stamp eligibility to some undocumented households, rural areas have a new method of accessing money for roads and bridges, and Tennessee's new online tool helps keep track of cemetery locations.

NY Budget Creates Wins, Losses for Hospitals in State

play audio
Play

Monday, May 22, 2023   

New York State's new 2024 budget provides some needed relief to hospitals.

Along with a Medicaid rate increase, the budget includes $1.4 billion for distressed hospitals. But, provisions ensuring hospitals can afford to provide certain levels of care were left out of the budget.

A 2022 report from the Healthcare Association of New York State finds 85% of hospitals reported negative or unsustainable operating margins, a 23% increase from 2019.

Wendy Darwell, president and CEO of the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State, said the workforce shortage is driving this financial challenge for hospitals.

"Hospitals are still using out-of-state workers under temporary contracts at extraordinarily high rates," said Darwell. "So, that's really, really contributing to their costs right now. But, they also are committed to increasing salaries for their workforce."

She added that the competitive nature of health care makes this necessary to attract workers, but the current economy makes that a struggle.

However, this follows a national trend. An American Hospital Association report finds hospital's total contract labor expenses increased 258% in 2022 from 2019.

Outside of the state budget, Darwell noted that there are federal initiatives that could help. She said across the U.S. hospitals are "robbing Peter to pay Paul" to fill labor gaps.

Darwell described what the federal government can do to support a strong national workforce strategy.

"One of the ways the federal government can be of assistance is to free up visa slots to allow qualified foreign trained medical workers to come to the United States," said Darwell. "There are limitations on those visas, and hospitals are bumping against them right now."

But, the state of New York is already taking steps beyond the budget process to build the health-care workforce, specifically nurses.

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation which permits nursing students to complete at least one third of their clinical training in simulation experiences.




get more stories like this via email

Almost all departments in Connecticut schools saw shortages in 2022, following a long-standing national trend. A 2022 American Federation of Teachers report found before the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 300,000 teachers were leaving the profession each year. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

As the school year ends, Connecticut's teacher shortage seems to have only worsened. In March, school districts across the state reported having 2,60…


Social Issues

play sound

A Muslim rights group is taking the Kent County Sheriff's Office to court for forcing a Michigan woman to remove her hijab for a booking photo…

Social Issues

play sound

A rally was held in Salem Thursday to urge passage of a bill to provide food assistance to Oregonians regardless of their immigration status…


Pennsylvanians must register to vote by Oct. 23 to be eligible to vote in the general election on Nov. 7. (Vesperstock/AdobeStock)

Social Issues

play sound

The Keystone State's general election is less than six months away and a nonpartisan, grassroots organization is already getting the word out to …

Social Issues

play sound

This week's debt ceiling deal saw federal policymakers compromise on budget-related matters, but a new awareness campaign from a Wisconsin grassroots …

A 2019 report from the New York State Comptroller's Office found almost 85% of green jobs were in increased demand. A 2022 report found there are 35,700 workers in New Jersey's green economy. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Offshore wind in New York and New Jersey is becoming a large contributor to job growth. New York's offshore wind investments are slated to create …

Social Issues

play sound

Hoosiers could play a pivotal role in pushing back against a surge of hate and violence against Jews in America. Nearly two-thirds of all …

Environment

play sound

The Nevada hunting and fishing community is sharing its top 10 conservation priorities for 2023 with Gov. Joe Lombardo's office, as they seek to …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021