Latest news with #NassauUniversityMedicalCenter
New York Post
a day ago
- Business
- New York Post
Nassau County exec Bruce Blakeman's shocking move throws wrench in Hochul's hospital ‘takeover'
Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman refused to nominate anyone to Nassau University Medical Center's board — saying in a surprise announcement Tuesday he was protesting Gov. Kathy Hochul's 'illegal' takeover. Blakeman, a Republican, was set to announce his picks for board after at least 10 executives resigned in protest to New York state's takeover of the facility — but instead said he will not be naming anybody to the Democratic governor's 'puppet board.' 'The state blatantly passed a law, which is illegal, to take over Nassau University Medical Center with the sole interest in closing the hospital as we know it,' Blakeman told reporters at a press conference outside of the hospital. 3 Nassau exec Bruce Blakeman announced Tuesday that the county will not participate in Gov. Kathy Hochul's 'illegal' takeover of the Nassau University Medical Center. Brandon Cruz/NY Post He called NUMC 'one of the finest medical facilities in the United States,' and said he won't stand for state officials shutting it down. The state has denied allegations that it plans to shut down the hospital or convert it into a mental or behavioral health facility. But a 2024 letter from the state Department of Health, which was obtained by The Post, said the agency determined that the only way for the hospital to be fiscally sustainable is to cut staff and multiple departments and convert to a behavioral health facility. The letter was signed by Hochul. Blakeman blasted Hochul and state officials, accusing them of bringing on a financial crisis. 3 Blakeman said he will not be naming anybody to Hochul's 'puppet board.' Lev Radin/Shutterstock 'The state has defunded this hospital with the intent to take it over and make this bogus claim that there is a financial crisis,' Blakeman said. Former NUMC Chairman Matthew Bruderman has filed a lawsuit accusing the state of systematically defunding the hospital in a convoluted scheme. The allegations sparked a federal investigation. 3 Nassau University Medical Center Stefano Giovannini 'Now the state, without any transition plan, without any coordination whatsoever, has taken this power grab, and let's be clear, this is nothing more than a cover up,' Blakeman said, citing the allegations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NUMC claims financial turnaround in 11th hour push against Hochul, state takeover
Nassau University Medical officials said the once financially challenged hospital doesn't need the state to step in because it has turned things around and is on track to net an $11 million profit this year. NUMC was once nearly $200 million in the red, but leaders are pushing back against a possible state takeover by touting major gains in patient care, national safety ratings, and expanded community health services. Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget deal with state lawmakers includes an agreement that could strip local control from the hospital board of directors and install a new state-run board, a move NUMC officials call unnecessary and 'politically motivated.' The language of the proposed changes have yet to be finalized though bugdet related bills can come to vote as early as this week, sources said. Hospital CEO Meg Ryan says thanks, but no thanks. Ryan, who joined the hospital's staff as CEO in 2024, doesn't believe a state takeover is necessary anymore, citing an operational and financial 180. 'Beyond finances, we've elevated patient care, earning improved national safety ratings, recertification with the Joint Commission's Gold Seal, and reaffirmation as a Level One Trauma Center, while expanding clinical services and launching a mobile mammography center to serve thousands of women annually,' Ryan told The Post in a statement. She said NUMC has seen a dramatic turnaround in recent years, taking a hospital that residents once avoided and upgrading it into a state-of-the-art medical facility — now home to a level-one trauma center, Nassau's only burn unit and hyperbaric chamber, primary care offices, dentists, and more. However, allegations of fraud and fiscal mismanagement ringing in from both sides sparked a federal investigation — with NUMC's recently fired chairman, Matthew Bruderman, blowing the whistle on an alleged scam he claims to have uncovered where the state was withholding funds from the hospital in an elaborate scheme that has overshadowed the hospital's improvements. On Wednesday, nearly 300 workers and supporters rallied outside the East Meadow hospital, demanding Hochul remove any language related to a state takeover budget, and invited the governor for a tour to see the turnaround for herself. Hospital leaders like Marissa Plotkins, the director of special projects, organized the rally to send a message to the governor that a state takeover is not needed or wanted — calling the language in the budget 'sneaky business,' and claiming the state is attempting to close the hospital with this move. However, The Civil Service Employees Association — the union representing most hospital staff — recently wrote a letter to members supporting Hochul's plans. The union said a new board of directors is needed, calling the claims that the state wants the hospital to fail 'bogus.' The union also said that NuHealth, the public benefit company that runs the hospital, is nearly $500 million in debt to the state, which hospital leaders denied — calling the union's support for the state's takeover 'treasonous' to the hospital. Meanwhile, Hochul believes she is setting out to do what is best for the patients in Nassau. 'NUMC leadership continues its bizarre PR campaign based on ridiculous lies and scare tactics. The amount of time and resources they have spent on this foolishness is absurd,' Hochul's Long Island press secretary, Gordon Tepper, told The Post. 'The state's focus at NUMC remains on patient care and the hospital's fiscal stability. That's all that matters — everything else is just noise.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kathy Hochul taps new board of directors Nassau County hospital after state's hostile takeover
Stuart Rabinowitz, the ex-Hofstra University president, is Gov. Kathy Hochul's choice to helm a reconfigured health care board of directors, with the announcement coming a day after the resignation of 10 executives at Nassau University Medical Center. Rabinowitz is one of four appointees joining the newly revamped NUMC board, Hochul's office announced. Konstantinos 'Dean' Mihaltses, a longtime hospital executive who worked at NYC Health + Hospitals in Queens; Lisa Warren, president of Placid LLC real estate development; and Amy Flores, a JP Morgan Chase vice president, were also tapped for the posts. 'NUMC is a vital lifeline for so many on Long Island, and today we are taking long-overdue steps to ensure it has the leadership and oversight it needs to thrive,' Hochul said in a statement. 'These new appointments, and the new authority granted to the state and NIFA, will help ensure accountability, responsible fiscal management and high-quality care for the communities NUMC serves. Stuart Rabinowitz is a respected and visionary leader, and I can't think of a better person to help lead this next chapter for NUMC.' Hochul plans to replace the entire 11-member board of the Nassau Health Care Corp., or NuHealth, which oversees the teaching hospital. The other seven will be chosen by the governor, who will first meet with Democratic state and lawmakers to consider candidates. The appointments take effect Sunday, and coincide with a new state law that overhauls NuHealth's leadership, bolsters state oversight and 'sets a path forward' for getting NUMC's finances back on track. The news comes a day after NUMC's CEO and nine other hospital leaders resigned. 'NUMC is a critical safety-net institution that has suffered from years of dysfunction and mismanagement,' Rabinowitz said. 'I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for the trust she's placed in me, and I'm eager to get to work with my fellow board members to restore public confidence, implement long-overdue reforms and put this hospital back on a path to stability and excellence.' Rabinowitz, a Columbia Law grad, was Hofstra's president for more than 20 years. During his tenure at the Long Island university, the former constitutional law professor oversaw the creation of a medical school and raised Hofstra's national profile, securing it as the host site for three US presidential debates. The new board is expected to meet on Monday. Between now and Dec. 1, 2026, the board will need to submit a study 'exploring options to strengthen NUMC,' according to Hochul's statement.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Kathy Hochul taps new board of directors for financially beleaguered Nassau County hospital
Stuart Rabinowitz, the ex-Hofstra University president, is Gov. Kathy Hochul's choice to helm a reconfigured board of directors for financially beleaguered Nassau University Medical Center, her office announced Saturday. Rabinowitz is one of four appointees joining the newly revamped board. Konstantinos 'Dean' Mihaltses, a longtime hospital executive who worked at NYC Health + Hospitals in Queens; Lisa Warren, president of Placid LLC real estate development; and Amy Flores, a JP Morgan Chase vice president, were also tapped for the posts. Advertisement Gov. Kathy Hochul has tapped Stuart Rabinowitz to helm a reconfigured board of directors for Nassau University Medical Center. Lev Radin/Shutterstock 'NUMC is a vital lifeline for so many on Long Island, and today we are taking long-overdue steps to ensure it has the leadership and oversight it needs to thrive,' Hochul said in a statement. 'These new appointments, and the new authority granted to the state and NIFA, will help ensure accountability, responsible fiscal management and high-quality care for the communities NUMC serves. Stuart Rabinowitz is a respected and visionary leader, and I can't think of a better person to help lead this next chapter for NUMC.' Advertisement The appointments take effect Sunday. Hochul plans to replace the entire 11-member board of the Nassau Health Care Corp., or NuHealth, which oversees the hospital. Nassau University Medical Center's CEO and nine other hospital leaders resigned yesterday. Dennis A. Clark The other seven will be chosen by the governor, who will first meet with state legislative and county legislative Democrats to consider candidates. Advertisement The news comes a day after NUMC's CEO and nine other hospital leaders resigned. 'NUMC is a critical safety-net institution that has suffered from years of dysfunction and mismanagement,' Rabinowitz said. 'I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for the trust she's placed in me, and I'm eager to get to work with my fellow board members to restore public confidence, implement long-overdue reforms and put this hospital back on a path to stability and excellence.' Rabinowitz was Hofstra's president for more than 20 years.
New York Post
24-04-2025
- New York Post
Thieves rob Long Island hospital chairman's house — and take only documents related to bombshell FBI probe: victim
The home of Nassau University Medical Center's chairman was robbed Wednesday night — but the burglars apparently only stole documents tied to a bombshell FBI probe, The Post has learned. Chairman Matthew Bruderman confirmed his house in Oyster Bay was broken into just two weeks after news broke that he was 'cooperating' with the FBI and Department of Justice in an investigation of his claims that the hospital was robbed by state and previous county leaders of more than $1 billion since 2006. The stolen documents were later recovered by Center Island police, who confirmed that an active investigation into the burglary is underway — but refused to release further information or say whether anyone was arrested. 3 Matthew Bruderman, the chairman of NUMC, confirmed his house was broken into and 'sensitive' documents were stolen pertaining to a federal investigation into his claims of fraud by previous hospital leaders. Stefano Giovannini Bruderman wasn't home at the time of the robbery and only found out after police called to inform him they had recovered a binder with his name on it in a car driven by an unidentified couple, he said. 'I was confused because that was the binder I had on my desk when I left,' he said. Bruderman said he later found his backdoor pried wide open. The binder, he said, contained 'sensitive' materials related to the ongoing federal investigation, including documents and records tied to the financial misconduct he claims to have uncovered while reviewing hospital finances and state reimbursements. The chairman believes the timing of the break-in — and that nothing appeared to have been stolen besides the documents — raises red flags and serious concerns. The FBI declined to comment on the investigation, which was opened in early April. 3 FBI Director Kash Patel met with Long Island leaders in Nassau County before opening a probe into NUMC's claims in early April. AP Bruderman has said he has been combing through the hospital's financial records and reimbursement filings since his 2022 appointment, and he claims to have uncovered billions in state funds meant for NUMC that were funneled elsewhere. At the heart of the alleged scheme is a little-known federal program called the Disproportionate Share Hospital Fund — meant to help keep afloat struggling hospitals such as NUMC, which treat large numbers of low-income patients on Medicaid and Medicare. Under the program, the federal government agrees to give hospitals tens of millions of dollars in funding as long as their state matches the investment. But Bruderman, a longtime financial advisor with over three decades of experience, said that's not what has been happening at NUMC since at least 2006. 3 NUMC is one of only a few public benefit hospitals throughout New York State. google According to his review of internal financial records, previous hospital leadership allegedly 'borrowed' what was supposed to be the state's matching share from an offshore account tied to a Cayman Islands trust, originally set up to cover the medical center's legal bills. That money would be temporarily transferred into the hospital's general fund just long enough to fool the feds into thinking New York had paid its share — unlocking the federal portion of the funding, hge claimed. But once the federal funds cleared, the state's contribution would allegedly be moved right back offshore. That would mean those matching funds vanished into the shadows in a conspiracy that could've included top officials.
