Governor Hochul Unveils Transformative Investments in Seven Hospitals and Health Care Partnerships Across New York

The Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program application process is rolling. Applications will continue to be reviewed and approved on an ongoing basis. In its first year, the program experienced demand that far exceeded the available funding. As announced in her 2025 State of the State, to meet this demand, Governor Hochul will allocate additional resources to the program in FY26. This commitment will further support worthy applications and foster more partnerships to stabilize and strengthen New York’s safety-net hospitals for the future.
Representative Gregory Meeks said, “The funding for a Cancer Center at Jamaica Hospital is a transformative investment in the Queens community. This generous support enables healthcare providers to use the latest technologies and advanced treatments in caring for cancer patients. Jamaica Hospital is essential to our community, which is why I advocated and secured more than $4.3 million in federal funding to help the facility acquire additional necessary medical equipment. Ongoing investment in our healthcare system not only saves lives but also strengthens preventive care contributing to the overall wellbeing of our residents.”
State Senator Leroy Comrie said, “Governor Hochul’s investment in New York’s healthcare system demonstrates a steadfast commitment to equity and innovation. The creation of the Comprehensive Cancer Care Center of Queens, in partnership with Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, ensures that Queens residents will have access to cutting-edge cancer care close to home. By strengthening safety-net hospitals across the state, this initiative not only enhances healthcare delivery but also reinforces our shared mission to build a healthier, more resilient New York for all.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said, “This generous award will support the development of new comprehensive cancer care services in Queens, providing much-needed local oncology services in ‘The World’s Borough’. No longer will Queens residents have to trek into Manhattan to receive the world-class cancer treatment they need and deserve. These new Queens-based cancer care services will save lives and strongly benefit the nearly 11,500 individuals in Queens who are diagnosed with cancer each year. Thank you so much to Governor Hochul for granting this award, and congratulations to Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering as you embark on a health care partnership that will benefit cancer patients in Queens for generations to come.”
New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman said, “Healthcare is a human right and today’s significant investment, by Governor Hochul, in safety net hospitals and healthcare organizations makes this more of a reality. This funding will enhance world class medical and Cancer Care for the borough of Queens.”
President and CEO of the Medisys Health Network Bruce J. Flanz said, “Today’s announcement is the culmination of the hard work of so many people within our organization, our partners at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as our local elected officials who have demonstrated their faith in all that we do for our community. We are truly grateful to Governor Hochul for choosing to invest in the development of a comprehensive cancer center at Jamaica Hospital. The ultimate beneficiaries of this announcement are the residents of Queens, who will finally have access to the highest-quality cancer care.”
New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse said,“Safety net hospitals are the backbone of New York’s Healthcare system and serve a large percentage of marginalized communities. Over the years, we continue to see a concerning financial trend amongst our safety net hospitals, which is leading to closures, and an inequitable health system of ‘haves and have nots’. As the Chair for New York City Committee on Hospitals, I thank Governor Hochul for the investment; it is a fundamental step towards improving the financial sustainability of safety net hospitals.”
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