Delayed FEMA reimbursements include $267 million to Northwell Health

WASHINGTON — Northwell Health, along with Suffolk and Nassau counties and Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, are among dozens of New York State health systems and local governments soon to receive more than $2 billion in long-delayed COVID-19 emergency cost reimbursements.

The money had been mired in years of delays at the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, dating from the administration of former Democratic President Joe Biden, despite ongoing efforts by New York lawmakers.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) — using his role as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee — issued a warning last month to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that his panel was launching an investigation into why the reimbursements had not yet been made.

This week, Garbarino said FEMA had since responded by informing him the money was being freed up.

"I’ve been in close contact with our hospitals and with FEMA to help move this process forward," Garbarino said in a statement Friday. "These funds are critical to strengthening our health care system and ensuring our communities are prepared for whatever challenges come next."

More than $267 million alone is headed to New Hyde Park-based Northwell Health, a nonprofit health care provider, according to a FEMA document providing details. Northwell is the largest health care system in New York, serving more than 5.5 million patients annually throughout Long Island, New York City and Westchester County.

Suffolk County is set to receive more than $17 million for the costs of its emergency protective measures, including supporting testing and vaccination sites.

Nassau County has more than $9 million approved for reimbursement for its emergency operations, including county pickups, cargo vans and 15-seat passenger vans to transport personnel between facilities.

And Mount Sinai South Nassau is set to get $1.4 million. The state and New York City also are set to receive tens of millions, as well as NYU Langone Health. Catholic Health is set to receive about $8.5 million.

Hospitals throughout New York State and the nation had to foot huge expenses during the pandemic to treat patients and prevent the spread of the virus, according to details provided in the FEMA document.

For instance, the Northwell system created an additional 1,405 beds to meet the demands of increased caseloads tied to COVID. In addition, it accumulated approximately 223,000 overtime hours at 19 major hospitals and 93 clinics and health care facilities under its jurisdiction.

Other expenses incurred were purchases of personal protective equipment and medical supplies.

"The COVID-19 pandemic was an immense challenge for health care providers, large and small, including Northwell Health," Northwell CEO John D'Angelo said in a statement released Friday through Garbarino’s office.

He credited and thanked Garbarino, who he said "fought tirelessly to ensure New York health systems are reimbursed for the significant financial burdens incurred while providing essential care to our communities."

Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, said similarly, "After years of delays — and thanks to the dogged efforts of House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino — the process for our hospitals to finally receive their long-overdue FEMA funds is underway."