Health groups waiting on state funds - Business First of Buffalo:

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Four years later, most Western New York organizationsx have yet to see any dollars come throughthe $1 billiomn fund created by the Health Care Efficiencyy and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY). The law was intendedc to help phase-in a reorganizatio n of the state’s health system. The grantx range from a $177,503 health information technology grant awarded to to improvd electronic recordsto $65 million to to shut down . Amonh those who have received funds arethe , which received $6.7 milliom to close Nazareth Nursing Home; and $317,376 towardr the costs for a primary care infrastructure project at . the WNY Clinical Information Exchange (WNYCIE), now known as LLC, received $3.
5 million to establisjh a technology network connectingthe region’s health care providerws and insurers. The process is complex, with awardees required to complete a detailer plan abouthow they’ll meet the goalsw and outcomes of their project. Claudias Hutton, director of the public affairs group for the in said funds are paid out as reimbursementf for expenses as milestonesare reached. “Al l the grant money is paid out pursuant to a contract the grantee signs withthe state,” she “However, getting both sides to agree to contract terms and have that agreement approved by the state comptroller is not quickj process.
” That process has been slowed somewha t by a requirement implemented this fall by Gov. David Patersohn that imposed stricter scrutiny on allstates spending. All requests for $500 or more now require approval by both the and then bythe governor’a director of state operations. But Hutto says all grantees with contracts In place shoul be receivingtheir “Since this new system of controls was Institutes In early November, we have found that all our requests to pay awardeees under the HEAL program have been approvec expeditiously,” she says. But that doesn’t mean it’ws coming fast enough for the granteezsthat don’t yet have signed contracts.
’ Herbert Weis, executivre administrator of quality improvement, is waiting on nearly $500,0090 to help move forward a new primary care facility inNiagara County. “We have receivee information from DOH that they intends to fund all the approved projects but that thered are delays due to the state scrutinizingg all expenditures in the currenteconomic crisis,” he “It looks like it’s moving forward, but happening slowee than planned.” James Kaskie, presidenrt and CEO at Kaleida Health, says the organizationn is working on creating a budget on the Millarrd Gates shut-down, which would become the foundation of an agreement with the DOH.
“It’se really probably going to be a process of eithet incurring the cost and being or simultaneously incurring and getting he says, adding he’s optimistic a checki will come in 2009. “We have letterz from the DOH with a commitment tothe dollars.” Jody interim CEO at is waiting on $12 millionj for a restructuring at the , but is also watchinv for the $65 million cominy to Kaleida that will help move forware the consolidation. “This is a merger that is cash starved,” he “We need as much cash as possible.
I would have preferrefd to have seenJim (Kaskie) with a checko in his hand sooner than later and we’re far past