Hurricane Sandy is leaving New York with a heavy bill in hospital damages. Among the near $40 billion in repairs and prevention costs that Gov. Andrew Cuomo requested in federal aid, $3.1 billion of that would go to hospitals and other health facilities.
New York City, by far, accrued the most healthcare-related expenses at $2.8 billion, while Nassau county costs totaled $43 million and Suffolk county costs totaled $3 million, according to the data.
The costs stem from damages at NYU Langone Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital, among other hospitals hit in the area.
Called one of the "worst natural disasters" in deaths and property damages, according to Cuomo in Monday's briefing with state congressional delegation, Hurricane Sandy will cost a total of $32.8 billion in repair and restoration costs and $9.1 billion in mitigation and prevention costs.
"Weeks later, we are only beginning to see the extent of the damage, which will no doubt rise in cost over time," U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm said in a statement.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer pointed out that Hurricane Sandy adds on to the financial burdens from outside the state.
"Make no mistake, this will not be an easy task, particularly given the impending fiscal cliff, and a Congress that has been much less friendly to disaster relief than in the past," Schumer said. Calling for federal support, he said, "This will be an effort that lasts not weeks, but many months, and we will not rest until the federal response meets New York's deep and extensive needs."
For more information:
- see the governor's announcement
- here's the data (.pdf)
Related Articles:
Hurricane Sandy spells good business for some hospitals, burdens for others
Hospitals rose to the occasion to preserve EHRs in Sandy's wake
Why we Fiercely defy Sandy
Could failed power, hospital evacuations be the new normal?
Could NYU Langone failed backups signal disaster plan problems?
Hospitals face Hurricane Sandy power outages, failed generators
3 keys to ensuring your data weathers a storm
Hospital CIOs share their prep plans for Hurricane Sandy, other disasters