Hospitals in upstate New York are pushing for a Medicaid reimbursement rate increase to help combat staffing shortages, Spectrum News 1 reported Jan. 26.
Iroquois Healthcare Association — a healthcare trade organization representing 54 hospitals and health systems in upstate New York — is seeking a 25 percent hike, according to the report.
A survey from the association found an overall staffing vacancy of 14.7 percent, according to the report. The nursing vacancy rate is 18.3 percent.
"Without a significant rate increase for upstate and rural hospitals, it is only a matter of time before their resources are completely drained," the group said, according to the report. "Ultimately, upstate residents will suffer when facilities and services continue to get dialed back or cut completely. This is a certainty."
The push comes ahead of Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget proposal, which will be unveiled Feb. 1, according to the report.