The New York State Legislature has approved a restructuring of the board governing Nassau University Medical Center, a public safety-net hospital based in East Meadow, N.Y., Newsday reported.
On May 7, the State Senate and State Assembly approved budget bill S.3007-C addressing legislation related to New York’s health and mental health budget for fiscal year 2025-2026.
The bill calls for a state board governed by 11 voting directors — four appointed by the governor, one appointed by the State Senate, one appointed by the State Assembly, two by the county executive for initial terms of two years, two by the majority leader of the county legislature for initial terms of three years, and one by the minority leader of the county legislature for an initial term of three years.
Under the bill, the governor shall designate one of the 11 voting directors as the board chairperson, and the board appointments may occur on or after June 1. Kathy Hochul serves as governor and Bruce Blakeman serves as Nassau County executive.
The bill also calls for a study “to prioritize healthcare services provided in the Nassau University Medical Center service area, including a reasonable, scalable and fiscally responsible plan for the financial health, viability and sustainability of the Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.” It states that the study shall be provided to the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority no later than Dec. 1, 2026.
Other components include:
- The board, rather than the county executive, will have approval authority over the CEO of Nassau Health Care Corp., which runs the hospital.
- The Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, which oversees the county’s finances, has enhanced oversight over NHCC, including approving NHCC contracts of more than $1 million.
- The fiscal year 2025-2026 executive budget includes $50 million in capital for NUMC.
“There has been significant mismanagement at NUMC over a period of years,” Gordon Tepper, spokesperson with the governor’s office, said, according to Newsday. “The state attempted to work cooperatively with Nassau on a solution. That offer was declined and now it’s the state’s responsibility to ensure NUMC succeeds going forward.”
Lawmakers’ approval of the legislation came after Mr. Blakeman confirmed that Matthew Bruderman has been replaced as NUMC board chair. Mr. Bruderman’s board term was set to expire in February 2027.
In the April 30 statement, Mr. Blakeman also confirmed that Kamal Nayyar, MD, resigned as a board member, and Irina Gelman, PhD, DPM, Nassau County commissioner of health, was appointed board chair. On May 9, Nassau Health Care Corp. shared the appointment of Joseph Tomaino, CEO of Grassi Healthcare Advisors, as the newest member of the board.
Dr. Gelman said in a statement May 7: “The state’s hostile takeover of Nassau County’s only public safety-net hospital is unprecedented, immoral and dangerous.” She later added: “The notion that a state appointed board would have a higher rate of success in managing this critical care facility from Albany is a logical fallacy….”
The legislation and board moves come as NUMC leaders are suing the state for $1 billion, alleging it unlawfully withheld Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital funds, according to Newsday.
Mr. Blakeman’s office did not immediately return a call from the publication to comment.
