Caribbean Corner

SUNY Downstate is a vital Brooklyn institution – it’s an essential engine to training the next generation of diverse, world-class medical professionals and scientists for New York State, delivering quality health care services for New Yorkers, and addressing health disparities in Central Brooklyn. However, at this point last year, SUNY Downstate’s hospital was running a $100 million annual deficit and was at risk of being unable to operate without additional funding, while contending with a hospital facility in disrepair and vulnerable to major crises. Following decades of disinvestment, Governor Hochul and the Legislature struck an unprecedented agreement during budget negotiations earlier this year to help stabilize Downstate by providing $300 million in historic capital funding and allocating $100 million to temporarily cover the deficit while a long-term solution for a stronger Downstate could be developed. Further, to chart that new, long-term path forward, negotiation...