SUNY Downstate moves forward with federal funding Labor, management involved in five-year-plan BROOKLYN — After several tumultuous years filled with protests, layoffs, clergy fasts, service cuts and threats to shut down, SUNY Downstate seems to finally be on the mend. At least that’s the picture management was eager to paint for elected officials, union members and community leaders at a recent meeting. Hospital officials shared information about the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP), a $6 billion, federal pot of money that will be distributed to health systems across the state. The goal of the funding program is to transform the health care safety net across New York state over the five-year program period. The state has built in incentives to reduce “avoidable” hospital use by 25 percent, increase the use of managed care, and provide better care at less cost through the DSRIP. Participating providers like SUNY Downstate have to conduct a study of their community’s health care needs and select strategies tailored to meet those needs, and payment of funds would be performance-based. The amount of funding a health care organization receives will be based on the number of projects selected, the State Sen. Kevin Parker, center, discusses the future of SUNY Downstate with CSEA and other labor activists. number of Medicaid patients served and the quality of the projects. Brooklyn and the areas around SUNY Downstate continue to underperform in many vital health indicators, including diabetes, respiratory and circulatory illnesses. In addition to asking for greater inclusion of elected officials in advisory bodies that will help govern the flow and proper use of the money, State Assemblyman Joseph Lentol expressed concerns with continued funding for these services and programs if certain goals or benchmarks are not met. Given recent layoffs at the center, State Sen. Kevin Parker also asked how workers would be integrated in the new plans. Management representatives said unions and elected officials would be involved in the development and execution of these projects over the next five years. The representatives have asked the deans of the five schools at SUNY Downstate to design curriculums that would address the needs of the hospital going forward. Downstate primarily serves central Brooklyn, which has more than 2.5 million residents. Death rates from diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and HIV/ AIDS are especially high in the predominantly African American and Caribbean neighborhoods surrounding the hospital. The death rate of infants is also surprisingly high. Downstate also offers unique health care services including its nationally recognized kidney transplant center, dialysis for children and sickle cell anemia treatment “We’ve fought long and hard to save this institution,” said Althea Green, CSEA SUNY Downstate president. “We will remain hopeful yet vigilant to make sure it continues to serve the community and respect the work force that make these services possible.” — David Galarza “My union is ...” “My union means security -- job security, economic security, retirement security, security for my family should something happen to me. It also means fellowship with some great people. That’s what it means to me. ” — Karen Bright, grade B supervisor, Child Protective Services, Madison County Department of Social Services, and Madison County White Collar Unit vice president 8 The Work Force May 2015
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