LUPINACCI: ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP SHOULD MOVE FORWARD ON CRITICAL SUNY FUNDING

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) today called on the assembly to move forward with critical legislation that will preserve funding to SUNY and CUNY health science centers, which have experienced significant budget cuts in recent years.

“SUNY hospitals have always provided exceptional care for everyone in New York State,” said Lupinacci. “Unfortunately, in recent years these hospitals have experienced devastating budget cuts that have negatively impacted the efficiency of their operations, including life-saving services not usually offered by private hospitals. I’m calling on Assembly leadership and Gov. Cuomo to move forward with this bill so we can provide the necessary aid for these hospitals.”

In June the Assembly and Senate passed the “Maintenance of Effort” bill (A.5370), which would include health science centers into New York State’s maintenance of effort provision in accordance with NY SUNY 2020. Assembly leadership is now responsible to bring the bill to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

More than 35,000 SUNY and CUNY students recently sent postcards to Gov. Cuomo’s office urging him to protect the quality of education of public universities and to sign this bill into law.

“On top of saving lives, these hospitals have produced some of New York’s best physicians and medical professionals. Signing this bill into law should be a no-brainer, and I will continue to urge Assembly leadership to pick up the pace and move this legislation to the governor’s desk to be signed into law,” concluded Lupinacci.

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