Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State, in coordination with Health Research Inc., has been awarded a four year, $100 million State Innovations Model Testing grant. Given by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, the grant will support the Governor’s State Health Innovation Plan, an ambitious blueprint that works to give New Yorkers access to high quality, coordinated care in every region of the state.

“Building the best possible healthcare system means growing our resources and taking an innovative approach to providing care for New Yorkers – and that is exactly what this grant is helping us achieve,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will go a long way toward improving the quality of care for people in virtually every corner of the state. I am proud that our work on this issue has been recognized by our federal partners as we continue to lay the groundwork for safer and healthier communities for all New Yorkers.”

The grant will:

– Integrate care and services by improving access to primary care. It will also integrate primary care services into long-term care, behavioral health, specialty care, and community supports.
– Create a continuum of care that links physicians and community-based resources to help promote the state’s Health Prevention Agenda and Medicaid reform efforts.
– Increase transparency to assure that patients, payers and providers have access to information that will help them make informed choices about their health care.
– Pay for the value of care received by a patient to ensure that care is high-quality, efficiently provided, and results in the best possible outcomes for the patient.

The Governor’s State Health Innovation Plan works toward the development and implementation of innovative health service delivery and payment models, which help give access to integrated care delivery systems. These systems are premised on a strong foundation of advanced primary care that is supported by both public and private payers in all regions of the state. Updated health information technology, quality measurement, integration with population health, and enhanced transparency will reduce costs and better enable consumers to make wiser healthcare choices.

“New York is a national leader in redesigning Medicaid, implementing a successful exchange marketplace, and initiating creative models of health care, with more patient-centered medical homes than any other state,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “The SHIP and this CMMI grant ensures we remain at the forefront, and our citizens continue receiving high quality health care at affordable prices.”

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said, “This grant will further our efforts to help bend the cost curve and keep health insurance premiums affordable for New Yorkers. Our Department is committed to supporting the implementation of the State Health Innovation Plan, and will work to ensure health care is paid for based on the value and quality of care provided and not just the number of services provided.”

Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “New York has long been a leader in health care innovation and I’m pleased that this $100 million federal investment will help forward the state’s progress towards the highest quality of care and lower costs for all. The State Innovations Model Testing grant will help New York develop, support and evolve an integrated care delivery system that focuses on the consumer. I am pleased that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has recognized the importance of this funding, which will ultimately improve the quality and access to care for all New Yorkers.”

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, who wrote a letter to Administrator Tavenner urging the awarding of these funds, said, “This health innovation grant is fantastic news for New York. Our state’s healthcare industry works hard to achieve better health, better healthcare, and lower healthcare costs for residents, and this federal funding will go a long way toward helping them achieve that goal.”

Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, “I applaud the announcement of this vital funding aimed to strengthen New York’s already stellar health system and make it even more accessible to our constituents through innovative means. Our State is fortunate to have a visionary leader in Governor Cuomo with whom I share the passion to help improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter said, “New York has always been a nationwide leader in health care innovation and I’m glad our state has been forward-thinking when it comes to expanding coverage for New Yorkers. I was proud to support this grant because it will build on Rochester’s rich history of regional health care planning, expand access to affordable healthcare, and ensure that New Yorkers will be paying for quality – not just quantity – in their health care.”

Congressman Eliot Engel said, “I have had the opportunity to work closely with state agencies to support New York’s leadership in many areas of health care innovation through my role on the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. Governor Cuomo’s State Health Innovation Plan lowers health care costs, empowers consumers to make informed choices, and better meets their needs by offering integrated care. Thanks to this federal grant, New York will continue to lead the nation in health care innovation.”

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, “New York is at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to health care and I was happy to fully support the state’s application for this federal grant. I fought to protect programs like CMMI that empower states to take the lead in lowering costs, saving money, and delivering better health care results. I will continue working with Governor Cuomo and in Congress to ensure that New Yorkers are receiving timely, affordable, quality health care they need.”

Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney said, “I was proud to support the request for these funds in a letter to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This grant will help New York transform health delivery and provide better health outcomes, better care and lower costs for all.”

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy said, “I served as a nurse for 30 years, so I am always pleased to see healthcare funds being used for the benefit of New Yorkers. These funds will support innovative improvements in our health care system. Anytime we can streamline our healthcare delivery system, we cut costs and improve service.”

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks said, “New York has long been a leader in health care innovation and this important grant continues the state’s forward progress by improving access to care, integrating care to meet consumer needs seamlessly, and making health care cost and quality transparent for the consumer. I am confident that with the SIM Round 2 Model Testing grant, hospitals in my district and those all over the state will benefit greatly by being able to incorporate an integrated care delivery system that focuses on the consumer. I thank the Governor for his continued effort to support better health and care that is affordable to all New Yorkers.”

Congressman Joe Crowley said,: “New York is well-positioned to build upon its long track record of health delivery system innovation, and I’m thrilled it has been awarded this vital grant to support its State Health Innovation Plan. These funds will go a long way toward improving the health of New Yorkers, promoting integrated care, and ensuring a better value for consumers. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Cuomo and state officials to implement these very important initiatives.”

Congressman Brian Higgins said, “New York has long been a leader in health care innovation, and this grant bolsters the state’s aim of improving population health, providing higher quality of care, and decreasing costs,” said Congressman Higgins, who wrote to the Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation on July 18, 2014 in support of the state’s proposal. “This funding allows the health care system to more efficiently serve the need of the consumer in New York State and across the country.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said, “Under the direction of Governor Cuomo, New York State has become a leader in developing policies that have expanded access to critical health care services and reduced the cost of health care for millions of families. With the $100 million State Innovations Model Testing Grant, our renowned hospitals and dedicated health care workers will have the resources to build on their achievements and to develop innovative solutions to the health care problems of the Twenty-First Century.”

Congressman Bill Owens said, “This funding will advance a statewide plan to improve service and reduce costs throughout the healthcare system. This is welcome news for many individuals and families across Northern New York where healthcare access and costs are a primary concern. I was pleased to support the State’s application to fund this healthcare plan and, now that funding has been awarded, urge officials to speed its initial implementation.”

John Rugge, M.D. Executive Director, Hudson Headwaters Health Network said “Federal funds to support New York initiatives are always welcome, but this innovation award belong to an even bigger category. This Governor is committed to transform health services all across the state in a series of big moves to make health care once more affordable and more trustworthy for all of us. The biggest move of all is to reinvent primary care as the foundation of that new health care system. SIM funding is a giant step in making that happen.”

Paul Macielak, HPA president and CEO said “The New York Health Plan Association (HPA) and its plans have partnered with the state on payment reform initiatives to move New York from a traditional fee-for-service delivery system to one more focused on paying for value and quality outcomes. This new funding will help further the goals of realigning our health care system to provide better health, improved care and lower costs.”

Kenneth E. Raske President, Greater New York Hospital Association said “This important grant is yet another example of Governor Cuomo’s outstanding leadership and deep commitment to improving health care access and quality for all New Yorkers. From the creation of the Medicaid Redesign Team to securing a Medicaid waiver to today’s $100 million grant, Governor Cuomo has consistently championed reforms that enable hospitals and other providers to deliver better care at lower costs.”

Dennis Whalen, President, Healthcare Association of New York State said “Hospitals and health systems are in the midst of tremendous transformation and reform and we look forward to working with the state to ensure SHIP helps providers continue our efforts in creating the most effective and efficient system for New Yorkers across the entire state.”