GNYHA’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Reception, held on June 1 at the Javits Center in Manhattan, highlighted the hospital landscape after the COVID-19 pandemic and described the ongoing challenges facing the health care sector. “It’s going to be an exciting, challenging year,” said GNYHA President Kenneth E. Raske, who noted that GNYHA “is dedicated to making the waters as smooth as possible.”
Mr. Rakse, Dr. Ozuah, and Mr. Gibbs
Mr. Raske also recognized GNYHA Executive Vice President Lee Perlman for his 40 years of service at GNYHA and his enormous contributions to New York’s health care community.
Mr. Perlman
Outgoing GNYHA Board of Governors Chair Kenneth Gibbs, Maimonides Health President & Chief Executive Officer, thanked the Board and GNYHA for their support during his tenure, saying, “This year was immensely challenging” and “the capability of this organization is essential to how we will go forward.”
Mr. Raske presented Mr. Gibbs with a plaque commending him for his service during what was an historically challenging year for the health care community.
Incoming GNYHA Board Chair Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, Montefiore Health System President & Chief Executive Officer, thanked Mr. Gibbs for his leadership and promised to “strive to uphold the leadership standards of all of our prior chairs.”
During the event’s Annual Business Meeting, the 2023-24 GNYHA Board of Governors was duly elected and installed.
Dr. McDonald
Guest presenter James McDonald, MD, MPH, New York State Department of Health (DOH) Acting Commissioner, detailed his wife Gail’s 2011 brush with ovarian cancer to highlight his plans for the State’s health care sector. “We want the same things from Albany,” he said, noting that his wish list for New Yorkers includes same-day access for urgent health issues; critical results reported promptly, accurately, and compassionately; and access to expert care and clinical trials. Dr. MacDonald’s priorities include rebuilding DOH following the COVID-19 pandemic; eliminating—not reducing—health disparities; and forming partnerships. He also noted his plans to address workforce challenges.
Mr. Raske’s annual address
Mr. Raske’s annual address highlighted the deterioration of hospitals’ financial condition and continuing labor shortages. He noted some of the aggressive State budget advocacy positions GNYHA has taken over the past year, including fighting for a 10% Medicaid rate increase for hospitals and nursing homes, maintaining Essential Plan rate increases, and repealing the Medicaid managed care pharmacy carve-out. Significant challenges the health care sector faces going forward include protecting safety net hospitals and battling insurance company abuses. Recalling the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s words about New York teaching hospitals being “world-class institutions,” Mr. Raske also vowed to prevent “bad public policy and societal indifference” from triggering the swift decline of these institutions.
