S8907A

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring the Department of Health to complete a comprehensive report on the impact of hospital closures across the state. Senate Print 8907A, sponsored by Sen. Gonzalez, passed on a roll call vote of 60-0. The bill addresses what Gonzalez characterized as an undeclared health crisis, citing over 19 hospital closures in New York City over the past two decades. Gonzalez highlighted the closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel in her Lower Manhattan district, which she said affects 400,000 residents. The legislation requires the Department of Health to aggregate closure data on a statewide basis and identify distressed hospital zones, rather than evaluating closures on a case-by-case basis as currently done. Gonzalez noted the issue extends beyond New York City to upstate regions and said the bill establishes a clear standard for comprehensive closure processes. The measure complements related legislation by Sen. Rivera designed to ensure community engagement in hospital closure decisions.