8/7/2003Cortland Memorial Hospital to receive grant!
Cortland Memorial Hospital is in line to receive about $170,000 as part of a state grant announced August 13 by Governor George Pataki and State Sen. Jim Seward. In all, more than $10 million will go to New York’s 52 rural hospitals.
The awards aim to improve the health of rural communities and provide greater access to health care for New Yorkers living in remote or sparsely populated areas of the state.
"This is good news for our local hospitals," said Senator James L. Seward. "The funds will help our hospitals provide the care our area residents need in a variety of ways. It's especially helpful in a time when there is enormous pressure on our health care delivery system."
Pataki said local hospitals serve a “vital role” in New York’s health care delivery system, providing life-saving services and quality care to millions of residents throughout the state.
Under the Health Care Reform Act, the Rural Health Care Access Development Program provides funds to the state’s rural hospitals to help them streamline services, improve operational efficiencies and enhance affiliations with community based providers.
Since 1996, including the $10 million announced August 13, the state has awarded $50 million to improve access to quality health care in rural areas of New York State under the RHCADP grants.
Among the objectives of the Rural Health Care Access Development Grants announced today are: planning for or implementing the conversion or diversification of underutilized acute care beds; plan or implement projects that diversify hospital services; plan and/or implement activities for improving cost efficiencies; develop long-term finance or resource plans for hospitals; integrate services with other hospitals and community-based providers; and further strengthen rural health networks statewide.