Stony Brook Medicine's Executive Vice President William Wertheim and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital Carol Gomes visited Washington, D.C., in early April. Their purpose was to attend the annual American Hospital Association meeting and advocate for federal support on key healthcare priorities.
During their visit, Wertheim and Gomes met with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Laura Gillen, and senior legislative health staff from Rep. Andrew Garbarino and Rep. Tom Suozzi's offices. The discussions focused on the need for strong federal investment in healthcare and research, as well as protecting public hospitals and academic medical centers from significant funding cuts.
The leaders emphasized opposing Medicaid cuts proposed in the upcoming federal reconciliation bill. "The totality of the proposed cuts to Medicaid would have a devastating impact on our institution—ranging from $92 Million to $221 Million—significantly impairing our ability to deliver high-quality care to the most vulnerable patients of Long Island," said Gomes. She urged Congress to reject these cuts and instead support policies that empower public hospitals like Stony Brook.
Other topics discussed included opposing site-neutral payment cuts, amending the current Disproportionate Share Hospitals calculation method, and supporting robust NIH research funding. "President Trump’s newly unveiled ‘skinny budget’ calls for a 40% cut to NIH research funding—an action that threatens to stall or eliminate access to critical, potentially lifesaving treatments for patients in urgent need," said Wertheim.
This visit is part of a broader advocacy effort by Stony Brook University's Office of Federal Relations in Washington, D.C., which aims to advance Stony Brook's federal priorities through collaboration with congressional delegations, federal agencies, and other partners.