Preliminary Approval Will Provide up to $142 Million Investment in Partnership Between St. Barnabas Hospital Health System, Cityblock Health, and Union Community Health Center
Upgrades St. Barnabas Hospital Health System’s Emergency Department Which Sees 75,000 Visits per Year
St. Barnabas Hospital Health System Receiving Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program Award
Governor’s Executive Budget Also Proposes $45 Million for Home-Based and Community-Based Services for Older Adults
Governor Kathy Hochul announced State investments in a new partnership between St. Barnabas Hospital Health System (SBH), Cityblock Health and Union Community Health Center. The preliminary approval is part of the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program, and includes an up to $142 million investment in the Bronx, a recognition of the health facilities’ critical services for Bronx residents and the wider region. Today’s announcement follows the significant steps Governor Hochul has taken to improve the health of New Yorkers. Established in the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program incentivizes partnerships between safety net hospitals and health care organizations to improve the resilience of safety-net institutions.
“I'm committed to ensuring that everyone has access to affordable and dependable healthcare, regardless of where they live,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The investments we are making today will ensure the availability of essential resources for the Bronx community for years to come.”
The Governor also highlighted her proposal to add an additional $45 million for home- and community-based services for older adults statewide, helping older New Yorkers age in the environment of their preference and ensuring their caregivers and families have the resources to fulfill their needs.
St. Barnabas Hospital (SBH) Health System President and CEO Dr. David Perlstein said, “We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with UCHC and Cityblock. This funding will be transformative in how we deliver care to our community. Our Emergency Department is often our front door where we treat our neighbors in their most dire times. Transforming this space will help us serve more patients and serve them in a more dignified manner. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul, Commissioner McDonald, and our entire NYS legislative delegation for their support, commitment and leadership in getting this across the finish line.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “St. Barnabas Hospital was the first hospital I visited as Health Commissioner, and it makes me proud to see that the hospital continues to enhance and provide critical services to Bronx residents. I thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to provide essential services to vulnerable communities and improve the health of all New Yorkers.”
Expanding Funding for Home-Based and Community-Based Services for Older Adults
Governor Hochul’s FY26 Executive Budget provides $45 million of funding for non-medical home- and community-based services for older adults - the largest investment in community-based aging services in New York State history. This funding will help more older adults age in the environment of their preference, and provides resources to the families and caregivers they rely on. It will also help alleviate wait lists that many older adults statewide face for in-home services such as delivered meals, personal care and case management.
State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda said, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Kathy Hochul for her steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, especially those in underserved communities like the Bronx. I was proud to work alongside the Governor to ensure SBH was selected for the Safety Net Transformation Initiative. Through this critical initiative, and in partnership with Cityblock Health and Union Community Health Center, SBH will receive vital investments that will significantly enhance care for our community. These improvements, including upgrades to the emergency department, will make a direct and positive impact on the thousands of Bronx residents who rely on SBH for their healthcare needs. I look forward to seeing the positive change all these initiatives will bring to the Bronx and beyond.”
These investments complement ongoing work by the State and stakeholders to develop the Governor's Master Plan for Aging (MPA), established by Governor Kathy Hochul under Executive Order 23 in November 2022 with the goals of improving the lives of today's older New Yorkers and people with disabilities, and building a better system of care and more inclusive communities for the future.
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