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UTICA, N.Y. — Millions of dollars are going to rural healthcare organizations in Madison, Herkimer, Otsego and Oneida counties.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It is one of four initiatives that make up New York State’s Rural Health Transformation Program.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
47 rural counties are included in the awardees list. The healthcare organizations being awarded include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Most of the State is rural, he said.<\/p>\n
The Rural\u00a0Community 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.<\/p>\n
McDonald said they hope to get funding every year and that this is year one of five for the program.<\/p>\n