“CMS notified DOH in late December that while the waiver proposal had merit, it was deemed that the existing channels available to provide assistance, including those through FEMA, Small Business Administration and other federal programs, were more appropriate,” said Bill Schwarz, a New York State Health Department spokesman. “The State Health Department is continuing its work to secure sources of federal relief for providers.”
The U.S. House of Representatives approved Sandy relief funds last week. Action on the $50.5 billion aid package was expected in the Senate this week.
The lethal storm, which hit Oct. 29, forced the evacuation of nine New York and New Jersey hospitals. Floodwaters closed five New York hospitals to admissions for several weeks. Three remain closed to inpatient care.
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. estimated it will lose $183 million in revenue between November and February. Floodwaters damaged and closed the public system's Bellevue Hospital Center and Coney Island Hospital to inpatient care. Coney Island Hospital began to admit some psychiatric patients at the end of December. Bellevue Hospital, which has 788 beds, is not expected to admit patients until February.
HHC officials expected the Medicaid relief package to cover half of the lost revenue, said Marlene Zurack, the system's senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. Zurack said the system has cobbled together cash to pay bills without the revenue, but will no longer be able to do so after June, when annual debt service and pension payments are due.
“We certainly could not afford this unexpected loss of revenue,” she said. Cash expected from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, she said, pays for repairs, not operating losses.
