
Governor commits $950 million to transform SUNY Downstate Medical Center

ALBANY AND FLATBUSH — AS A COMMUNITY advisory board on Wednesday held the first of three hearings on developing a fiscally-sound long-term plan for SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Gov. Kathy Hochul committed to increasing funding to a total of $950 million for the embattled hospital’s transformation.
Hochul highlighted $450 million in capital funding and $100 million in operating support for Downstate included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget during the board’s meeting, convened at the Health Science Center with the purpose of hearing from community members and stakeholders. This new funding is in addition to the $300 million in capital funding and $100 million in operating funding included in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget.
Downstate provides inpatient and outpatient health care services in Central Brooklyn and leads in research and scholarship to address health disparities. However, last year, the hospital faced a $100 million annual deficit and was at risk of being unable to operate; it was concurrently dealing with a facility that was in disrepair and vulnerable to crises, including major infrastructure incidents.
The Community Advisory Board, established by Hochul and the Legislature, is tasked with developing recommendations to ensure the long term financial health and stability of the facility, using up to $750 million in state capital funding.
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