Statement from NHCC Regarding Supreme Court Ruling Against NIFA

EAST MEADOW - Nassau Health Care Corporation leaders issued the following statement in response to today's ruling in State Supreme Court against the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA). The Hon. Denise L Sher ordered NIFA to "immediately approve" contracts related to NHCC's legal representation, "allowing the hospital to continue to use qualified attorneys of its choosing." Following NHCC's filing of a Notice to File Claim against the State of New York over violations of federal Medicaid law, and an additional Article 78 lawsuit against NIFA, the State-appointed authority intimated it would deny NHCC its right to legal representation. Additional relief sought by NHCC as part of the TRO will remain part of the Article 78 lawsuit for abuse of power and gross negligence against NIFA will move forward on the merits at a later date.

"After being exposed for their lack of independence from Albany's political machinery and repeated failures to provide even basic financial oversight, NIFA could have easily denied NUMC's ability to have legal representation. Fortunately the judge understood this inherent conflict of interest and instructed NIFA to approve the contracts for our counsel immediately. It is critical that NUMC has the ability to recover funds from the State to which it is legally entitled. NIFA has been carrying Albany's water for years as part of an effort to starve the hospital of resources and sully its reputation. This ruling is the first of what will be many more victories against the culture of corruption we've seen for years from the Albany and NIFA cabal. The big winners today are the patients and the dedicated staff that will definitely have outstanding legal representation as we fight for the money our community needs and deserves. We're going to get it back," stated NHCC Board Chairman Matthew Bruderman.

"Hindering our right to effective representation is outrageous. We complied with the law as we have done with all of our contracts, but NIFA attempted to slow roll the approval process. They don't want us fighting back. They and those in Albany who control them have starved NUMC of resources for years, failed to provide appropriate oversight and maligned the good work done by our team for our county's most vulnerable. Today's victory means that we will continue to explore all of our legal remedies with deliberate speed to get our patients and employees the money they deserve and are rightfully owed," stated NHCC President and CEO Megan Ryan.

###