UTICA, N.Y. — Millions of dollars are going to rural healthcare organizations in Madison, Herkimer, Otsego and Oneida counties.
On Sept. 4, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced over $76 million is being awarded to healthcare organizations in rural communities across the State as part of the Rural Community Health Integration Initiative.
It is one of four initiatives that make up New York State’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
The money is aimed at improving coordination between rural hospitals and primary care providers, expanding access to comprehensive healthcare, and increasing long-term sustainability, according to Dr. Douglas Fish, the deputy commissioner of Office of Healthcare Delivery.
47 rural counties are included in the awardees list. The healthcare organizations being awarded include:
Bassett Medical Center – $3,122,644Mohawk Valley Health System – $1,850,000Community Memorial Hospital – $1,581,930Upstate Caring Partners – $1,477,664Oneida Health – $1,030,000Rome Memorial Hospital – $599,622Trustees of the Masonic Hall and Asylum Fund – $500,000
“It’s a nice opportunity to build community-focused healthcare ecosystem that’s going to improve access to high-quality, affordable, coordinated care for New Yorkers who live in rural areas,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
Most of the State is rural, he said.
The Rural Community Health Integration Initiative is one of four initiatives that fall underneath the Rural Health Transformation Program, a program that received more than $212 million for its first year.
McDonald said they hope to get funding every year and that this is year one of five for the program.
A full list of awardees can be found here .
Millions of dollars are going to rural healthcare organizations in Madison, Herkimer, Otsego and Oneida counties.