A Message From Our CEO
Early 2023 has been very active for the staff at Iroquois. We have spent a great deal of time meeting and briefing new legislators, reviewing the Governor’s budget, analyzing various budget and no-budget proposals and providing the clarion call to the Legislature and Governor that Upstate hospitals can no longer do more with less. This is why IHA has been so vocal about the need to increase Medicaid rates by 25% and to provide Upstate Hospitals with dedicated and permanent supportive funding.
We recognize that a rate increase of 25% is significant and such an increase is unlikely. However, it is an increase of this size that demonstrates the magnitude of the fiscal challenges facing our member hospitals.
As the budget process stalled in early April, we believe we have made progress on rate increases as the State continues its budget negotiations. IHA will continue to call on the State to optimize resources for Upstate Hospitals as it considers a new round of Capital funding and other supportive funding for hospitals.
Meanwhile, we are looking toward the May unwinding of the State and Federal Public Health Emergency and the flexibilities that it has allowed. IHA is prepared to assist its members with the questions and concerns they have as we move into the post-pandemic era.
Gary Fitzgerald
President