Opinion: cuts will have a serious negative impact on the health and economics of our rural communities

Dear Editor,

Governor Cuomo’s Executive Budget includes a plan for consolidation and funding reductions for 30-disease prevention, public health and health workforce programs, including Rural Health Networks.  

Rural Health Networks across New York State, including the Southern Tier’s own Rural Health Network of South Central New York, sustained a funding reduction of more than 21 percent in the last state budget. If enacted, the additional 20 percent funding cut proposed for this year will force Rural Health Network of South Central New York and Rural Health Networks across New York State to drastically reduce services to their communities.

The Rural Health funding, known as the Rural Health Network Development Program, has been the most important funding source for Rural Health Network of South Central New York since the organization was founded in 1998. This funding serves as a structural base, from which the Rural Health Network of South Central NY has developed important services.  

For every $1 of Rural Health Network Development funding invested, the Rural Health Network of South Central New York secures an additional $10 of private, federal and other New York State funding to improve rural health.  

Rural Health Networks improve the health of rural communities by improving access to care, facilitating collaborative solutions to meeting health needs and improving the efficiency of health related services. Rural Health Networks are leaders in innovation. 

At the Rural Health Network of South Central New York, the funding has made it possible to develop, start-up and/or provide support to initiate rural transportation services, grow farm to school programs, expand community chronic disease education classes, and mobilize over 200 AmeriCorps National Service Members to serve with over 30 organizations. 

These cuts disproportionately impact rural New York directly by reducing critical resources to public health, Area Health Education Centers and other preventive health services targeting rural needs. 

As proposed in the Executive Budget, these cuts will have a serious negative impact on the health and economics of our rural communities. 

It is imperative that Albany lawmakers understand the value of these programs that save money and save lives.  

Please join us in reaching out to Senator Fred Akshar, to New York State Assembly Members Donna Lupardo, Clifford Crouch and Christopher Friend, and New York State Health Committee Chairs Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried to request restoration of Rural Health Network funding in the 2018-19 state budget.

Sincerely, 

Jack Salo

Executive Director

Rural Health Network of South Central New York