Local 830 Attends Schumer Press Conference at NUMC

MINEOLA- United States Senator from New York, Charles Schumer, held a press conference at Nassau University Medical Center on September 4th, regarding a new medicare rule that threatens to affect local rehabilitation units.

The rule, which would be set to take effect next year, would require that 75 percent (up from 65 percent) of patients admitted to rehabilitation units in Long Island hospitals and across the nation must have at least one of thirteen pre-determined medical conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or fracture of the femur. If this were to happen, one of every four rehab centers would be affected.

“We need to stop this in its tracks,” Schumer said. “Most rehab centers won’t be able to fill quotas, and centers will struggle to stay financially afloat.” He said this federal rule could “endanger lives” and “cost hospitals millions.” As for the effect on NUMC, officials say more than 50 patients would be turned away, and the hospital would lose $1 million each year the rule is implemented.

CSEA Local 830 President Jerry Laricchiuta hopes to stop it in its tracks as well. “We are always saying how we are so proud of the fact that our members here at NUMC work so hard, and do so well in serving Nassau County residents. Now, this measure that could hurt NUMC financially, and structurally could do a lot in hindering that. We have worked endlessly to secure financial health for the hospital, along with CEO Art Gianelli, so we will fight as hard as we can to make sure this rule does not go through.”

Laricchiuta was thanked by Senator Schumer for his great work and representation of the CSEA workforce. He said at the press conference, “CSEA is a wonderful organization. I was told you have 3000 members here (in the Nassau Health Care Corporation) which speaks volumes of the great work of CSEA and NUMC.”