Allegations Surround NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Hospital Deal in Nassau County
Governor Hochul touts her record on social justice, yet she is overseeing the alleged exploitation of a safety-net hospital located in Nassau County, which caters to the most vulnerable populations.
The Nassau University Medical Center is taking legal action against New York, claiming it has been defrauded of $1.06 billion over the last twenty years.
As the sole public hospital in the area, it serves predominantly low-income patients, with 80% of its 275,000 patients being uninsured or reliant on Medicare and Medicaid.
In addition to its general services, the hospital features a nursing home, a jail infirmary, Long Island’s only burn unit, and the largest inpatient psychiatric treatment center in the region.
Despite its crucial function, NUMC was on the verge of collapse, facing annual losses of $180 million when Republican Bruce Blakeman was elected county executive two years ago. He recruited wealthy businessman Matthew Bruderman as pro bono chairman to turn the hospital around.
“It was a dumpster fire,” recalls Bruderman. Millions had reportedly been lost due to embezzlement and nepotism.
Bruderman succeeded in stabilizing the hospital’s finances, expanding clinic hours to include nights and weekends, and hiring an effective CEO, implementing a turnaround strategy that could serve as a model nationwide.
However, a startling revelation emerged during his financial audit: New York had failed to match federal funds for Medicaid spending as mandated by law.
Documents reviewed by The Post indicate a $50 million shortfall for 2024 alone. The hospital contends that it has been shortchanged annually since 2006.
Hochul must rectify the situation for the hospital — or risk being labeled a hypocrite.
