Gary J. Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Iroquois Healthcare Alliance, Submits Testimony Regarding Governor Hochul’s Proposed Budget
ALBANY, NY —Today, Iroquois Healthcare Alliance (IHA) President and CEO, Gary J. Fitzgerald, delivered testimony in response to Governor Hochul’s fiscal year 2022-2023 Executive Budget.
“There is no doubt that Governor Hochul has clearly recognized the need to invest in Upstate New York hospitals and the workforce that supports them,” said Gary J. Fitzgerald, President and CEO, Iroquois Healthcare Alliance. “This recognition is emblematic of a new governing style.”
The Governor’s budget presents opportunities for Upstate hospitals the likes of which have not been seen in far more than a decade. Despite this positive news, there remains an urgent need for additional and direct assistance for our member hospitals and health systems in Upstate and rural New York.
“The Iroquois Healthcare Alliance urges additional investment in Upstate and rural hospitals in the form of a rural add-on or additional investment in direct payments to these hospitals,” continued Fitzgerald.
Collectively, we need to contribute to the production of a better prepared healthcare workforce and recruitment and retention efforts that support the healthcare delivery system. Needs are particularly acute in rural areas and will require innovative approaches.
As we look to a time post-COVID, we acknowledge the fatigue that we all feel as a society, but we cannot lose sight of the stress and fatigue experienced by those working in our hospitals and health care systems. They need support and the hope of a return to normalcy.
The people of New York State who reside in Upstate and rural communities deserve access to safe, quality healthcare. The members of the Iroquois Healthcare Alliance stand ready to work with the Governor and the Legislature to ensure that quality, affordable health care is accessible to all New Yorkers, particularly our state’s most vulnerable populations. -###- About the Iroquois Healthcare Association: IHA is a regional healthcare trade organization representing 54 hospitals and health systems, spanning over 28,000 square miles, across 32 counties of Upstate New York. IHA is the leading resource for facilities and professionals bringing quality health care to the region. IHA represents the unique needs of rural, small community safety-net providers to large, academic medical centers in Upstate New York’s urban areas through advocacy, education and information, cost-savings initiatives and innovative business solutions.