The state of New York plans to invest $1 billion in SUNY Downstate’s hospital in New York City’s Brooklyn borough.
The investment comes after months of community engagement led by SUNY Downstate’s Community Advisory Board and concerns about the $100 million annual deficit and deteriorating infrastructure at the hospital, according to a June 17 news release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The funding comprises $750 million in capital investments from the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 state budgets, along with an additional $50 million allocated annually from SUNY over a seven-year period to bring the investment to over $1 billion, according to a June 17 news release.
The advisory board has also proposed a plan to maintain all existing inpatient and outpatient services, including kidney transplant and maternity services. It proposes converting all double occupancy rooms to private rooms and adding rooms, which would result in 225 beds with a goal to increase the existing 165 average daily census.
The plan also includes expanding emergency department capacity; renovating and establishing cardiology, oncology and orthopedics inpatient specialty units; constructing a new hospital annex with specialty and advanced surgical units; improving operations and leadership to enhance sustainability; and addressing core hospital infrastructure issues.
“This more than $1 billion investment, as part of a reasonable, scalable, and fiscally responsible plan, will ensure SUNY Downstate’s hospital moves forward and maintains all essential inpatient and outpatient services, as it expands to continue serving the needs of the community,” SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. said in the release.
