Feds Giving Flushing Hospital $2 Million Grant

Financially-troubled Flushing Hospital will be getting nearly $2 million in aid from the federal government, according to Governor George Pataki in an announcement last week. The funds are designed to help the Hospital in its transition to managed care. The Flushing Hospital grant is part of a $250 million package to be distributed to State Hospitals through the Community Health Care Conversion Demonstration Project. Flushing Hospital has filed for bankruptcy and is being managed by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. This money will help ensure that hospitals have the resources they need as we begin our Partnership Plan to bring the benefits of regular, primary and preventive care to millions of under-served children and families, Pataki said. Meanwhile, The Queens Courier obtained a copy of an April 7 letter from William C. Apgar, Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, criticizing the State Dormitory Authority for its failure to help Flushing Hospital. No contact or assistance has been provided or offered by DASNY, or the State, Apgar wrote Gail Gordon, Chair of the Board of DASNY, since the Hospital has been in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.