The Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program application process is underway. Applications will continue to be reviewed and approved on an ongoing basis. In its first year, the program experienced demand far exceeding available funding. As announced in his 2025 State of the State Report, to meet this demand, Governor Hochul will allocate additional resources to the program in FY26. This commitment will further support worthy applications and foster more partnerships to stabilize and strengthen New York’s safety-net hospitals for the future.
Representative Gregory Meeks said: “Funding a cancer center at Jamaica Hospital is a transformative investment in the Queens community. This generous support allows health care providers to use the latest technologies and advanced treatments to care for cancer patients. Jamaica Hospital is essential to our community, which is why I advocated for and obtained more than $4.3 million in federal funding to help the facility acquire additional necessary medical equipment. Continued investments in our healthcare system not only save lives, but also strengthen preventative care contributing to the overall well-being of our residents.
State Senator Leroy Comrie said: “Governor Hochul’s investment in New York State’s healthcare system demonstrates an unwavering commitment to equity and innovation. The creation of the Comprehensive Cancer Care Center of Queens, in partnership with Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering, ensures that Queens residents will have access to cutting-edge cancer care close to home. By strengthening the hospital safety net across the state, this initiative not only improves health care delivery, but also strengthens our shared mission to build a healthier, more resilient New York for all.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said: “This generous award will support the development of new comprehensive cancer care services in Queens, providing much-needed local oncology services in the “world borough.” Queens residents will no longer have to travel to Manhattan to receive the world-class cancer treatment they need. We need and deserve. These new Queens-based cancer care services will save lives and greatly benefit the nearly 11,500 people in Queens who are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many thanks to Governor Hochul for bestowing this award, and congratulations to Jamaica Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering as you embark on a health care partnership that will benefit cancer patients in Queens for generations to come . »
New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman said: “Health care is a human right and the significant investment Governor Hochul made today in hospitals and health care organizations makes that a reality. This funding will improve world-class medical and cancer care in the borough of Queens.
New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse said:“Safety-net hospitals are the backbone of New York’s healthcare system and serve a large percentage of marginalized communities. Over the years, we continue to see a worrying financial trend within our safety net hospitals that is leading to closures and an inequitable health care system. “haves and have-nots”. As Chairman of the New York City Hospital Committee, I thank Governor Hochul for this investment; This is a fundamental step toward improving the financial viability of safety-net hospitals.