(Albany, NY)- “The New York State School-Based Health Alliance, on behalf of the over 250 School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) across the state, their dedicated health care staff, the children and families served and our many committed partners, praises the enacted SFY 2026 State Budget which includes vital funding to support the health care services that are so essential to our most underserved youth. And critically, due to the tireless efforts and support by the Senate and Assembly, the final budget prevents the existential threat facing SBHCs by delaying for at least one year a shift from Medicaid fee-for-service to managed care.”
“These budget actions ensure the stability and preservation of this vital safety net provider that provides access to primary care, dental, mental health and reproductive healthcare for over 250,000 children and adolescents each year. We are so grateful to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart- Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Senate and Assembly Health Committee Chairs and champions Gustavo Rivera and Amy Paulin, and all of their legislative colleagues and staff who continue to make SBHCs in their communities a priority.”
“It is also imperative that we recognize the support of so many statewide and local partners who have stood with us for many years to fight for SBHCs and the children served. Included below is the list of the many organizations who have joined with us in advocating for sound state policies and funding to ensure the sustainability and growth of this child-centered model”
“The actions taken in the SFY 2026 final budget to stop the devastating carve-in of SBHCs into managed care and to provide funding to support the work and mission of SBHCs sends a strong message to the children and adolescents in our state and their families who face so many challenges and barriers to accessing healthcare, that they are valued, that they are a priority for New York State lawmakers and that their legislative representatives will do whatever it takes to protect them and their right to equal and high quality healthcare. Further, it gives them the assurance that they can count on their SBHC to be there whenever they need it. “
“Our message remains the same as it has been for the last decade related to the managed care carve-in of SBHCs since this was proposed during the Cuomo-era Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT). SBHCs need a permanent carve out of managed care, so they may remain in Medicaid fee-for-service and so all of their time, staff and resources can be exclusively focused on providing healthcare for children in our most urban and rural underserved communities. We will not relent in our advocacy for a permanent carve out of MMC for SBHCs in order to put the needs of these children and families first.”
SBHC Partners:
New York School-Based Health Alliance
1199SEIU
Greater New York Hospital Association
Healthcare Association of New York State
Community Health Care Association of New York State
New York State United Teachers (NYSUT)
The Foundling
New York State Academy of Family Physicians
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Kaleida Health
Northwell Health
Montefiore Health
Community Health Network
New York School-Based Health Foundation
Long Island Jewish Medical Center/CMCC
Children’s Aid NYC
NYU Langone Health
Morris Heights Health Center
Family Health Centers at NYU Langone
New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Harmony Healthcare Long Island
States Island University Hospital
Healthy Capital District
Open Door Family Medical Center
Community Health Academy of the Heights
Essex Street Academy
Lower Manhattan Academy Arts Academy
Urban Assembly Academy of Government and Law
High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies
Rochester Regional Health
Bassett Healthcare Network
Sun River Health
Community League of the Heights
Academy of Innovative Technology
Far Rockaway Educational Campus, Pathways to Graduation
New York State Community Schools Network
Network for Youth Success
Village Academy, Brian Piccolo MS53 Campus
North Country Family Health Center
Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, Inc.
Urban Health Plan
University of Rochester
Institute for Family Health
Syracuse Community Health
East Harlem Council for Human Services Inc./ Boriken
Neighborhood Health Center
NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island
Family Health Network of CNY, Inc.
NY Society of Adolescent Health & Medicine
Ariel Tassy Nunez, MD, Deborah Saunders, MD, Eric Weiselberg, MD, Rachel Bergeson, MD, Khalida Itriyeva, MD, members, AAP Chapter 2 Committee on Youth and Adolescents
Finger Lakes Community Health
Smile New York Outreach
FHC at NYU Langone
School Based Dental Program
BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers
Connext Care
Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center Network
Ryan Health
The post STATEMENT APPLAUDING SFY 2026 ENACTED STATE BUDGET appeared first on EMPIRE REPORT NEW YORK 2025® NEW YORK’S 24/7 NEWS SITE.
