New York State United Teachers today launched a television and digital advertising campaign advocating for long overdue and necessary investment in Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island’s premier academic medical center.
As the ad notes, SUNY Stony Brook has the only 24/7 emergency care facility in the South Fork and ranks among the top 1% of hospitals in the United States. The institution not only provides life-saving services to New York’s most vulnerable, but trains the next generation of health care providers. And at a time when the state is facing a lack of qualified workers and stagnant economy, SUNY Stony Brook is an economic engine driving thousands of good-paying jobs for New Yorkers.
The ad is available to view here: https://vimeo.com/808665881/
“Our public teaching hospitals deliver extraordinary care to thousands of New Yorkers every year,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta. “And yet, every year we see state funding threatened for these critically important institutions. It is time to invest in our doctors, nurses and health care professionals of tomorrow so that our children, grandchildren and future generations continue to receive the highest quality care if and when they need it.”
The state has continually provided insufficient financial support for SUNY hospitals to survive. Together, the three SUNY Hospitals in Syracuse, Brooklyn and Stony Brook have lost nearly $2 billion in state funding.
With less than two weeks until the state budget deadline, NYSUT is pushing lawmakers to finally address the years of financial suffering and restore $175 million in mission funding to SUNY hospitals.