Interfaith Medical Center Gets $2M From NYS For Primary And Urgent Care, And Might Be Purchased By Northwell Health

The rumor mill continues as regards Brooklyn’s struggling hospital and health care systems. The latest: Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ Health System” is considering either buying or taking over four financially struggling Brooklyn hospitals, and several local hospitals and clinics and other providers are receiving millions in state funding for infrastructure improvements.

First, the possible takeover.

A report by Crain’s New York Business revealed that Northwell is in talks with Governor Andrew Cuomo about the possibility of taking over management of Interfaith Medical Center in Bed-Stuy, near the Clinton Hill border, as well as Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.

The first step would be a “feasibility study that could pave the way for a deal,” and if eventually clearing all the political, financial, and logistical hurdles that will inevitably come up, the project would result in an estimated $7.8 billion system.

If it does eventually become reality, then Northwell will have a sizable footprint in Brooklyn, as it already partners with Maimonides Medical Center.

“We will continue to talk to state officials and will try to be helpful where we can, but there is no agreement on a feasibility study,” said Northwell in a statement.

In the meantime, some helpful funding is coming to Interfaith, Maimonides, Kingsbrook, NYU-Lutheran, Wyckoff Heights, and the Bed-Stuy Family Health Center:

• Interfaith is getting over $2.1 million to integrate primary and urgent care services,
• Kingsbrook in East Flatbush is getting over $2.9 million for a bed expansion,
• Bed-Stuy Family Health Center is getting $380,000 for a health IT revamp,
• Maimonides in Borough Park/Bensonhurst is getting $24 million for an advanced ambulatory care network plus $20 million for debt restructuring and financial stabilization,
• NYU-Lutheran is getting $7.7 million for construction of an observation unit, plus $29 million for implementing a coordinated clinical care system with providers,
• Wyckoff Heights in Bushwick is getting $53 million for an ambulatory transformation initiative, plus $5.5 million for a Dekalb Health Center.