Stony Brook University Hospital (SBUH) CEO and COO, Carol Gomes, recently visited Capitol Hill for a series of healthcare advocacy meetings with members of the New York congressional delegation and senior health staff. Gomes met with various policymakers, including Rep. Nick LaLota and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, as well as senior health staff from the offices of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
During these meetings, Gomes highlighted several key issues and urged Congress to take action. She emphasized the importance of preventing detrimental Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts and fixing the flawed DSH calculation method. Gomes also urged policymakers to push FEMA to expedite COVID-19 reimbursements to public hospitals and to enact federal policies that strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Stony Brook University Hospital is committed to providing quality healthcare to its community, and Gomes stressed the need for adequate and predictable federal funding to support this mission. She also emphasized the importance of increased resources for clinician and healthcare training programs to address workforce shortages in the healthcare industry.
Advocacy meetings with key policymakers have the potential to bring about significant positive changes in healthcare policy and funding. By engaging directly with congressional members and staff, Gomes successfully amplified SBUH’s voice on Capitol Hill and advocated for policies that would improve healthcare access and enhance patient outcomes.
These meetings were coordinated by SBU’s Office of Federal Relations, which works closely with the New York congressional delegation to advocate for the university’s federal priorities.
Overall, Gomes’ efforts on Capitol Hill demonstrate the proactive approach SBUH is taking to ensure the best possible healthcare for its patients and community.
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