FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 2017

Contact: Amelia Trigg
atrigg@iroquois.org
(518) 348-7457

Unique Needs of Upstate New York Rural Health Care Acknowledged With Passage of the
Rural Health Council

CLIFTON PARK, New York — Today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law, under Chapter 419 of 2017, S.4741 Hannon / A.7203 Jones. This Iroquois Healthcare Assocation (IHA)-championed legislation statutorily establishes the Rural Health Council, comprised of representatives of health care providers that represent the health care delivery system in the state’s rural areas.

The Rural Health Council will advise the Health Commissioner on all aspects of rural health care and rural health care delivery. The Council will be responsible for contributing to a biennial report to the Governor and Legislature, as well as reporting to the regional economic development councils on the status of health care workforce supply in their respective regions.

“Establishing a Rural Health Council in law creates a platform for rural health issues to be discussed and examined,” said IHA President, Gary J. Fitzgerald. “It gives these safety-net providers, who are also the economic drivers in their communities, a voice in Albany and Washington.”

“We would like to thank the Governor, Legislature, and particularly the bill’s sponsors, Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay), for their continued support and recognition of the essential role of rural health care.”

###

About Iroquois
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. For more information, please visit www.iroquois.org.