Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York State Budget for FY 2023 that includes a key provision which will allow more New Yorkers from underserved communities.
The provision will provide access to care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and other NCI-designated cancer centers in the state.
The legislation, which goes into effect on January 1, 2023, will require all New York Medicaid-managed care plans and qualified health plans offered on the New York State of Health Exchange to contract with any of the state’s seven NCI-designated cancer centers that are willing to participate.
In response, Carol L. Brown,MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer at MSK, released the following statement:
“For far too long, underserved communities across New York have had limited or no access to some of New York’s best cancer hospitals, known as National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers. These centers offer the most cutting-edge clinical care available and the inability to access care at these institutions contributes to disparities in cancer outcomes. Last week, our state took a tremendous step forward to enhance access to New York’s best cancer centers.
“Memorial Sloan Kettering applauds Governor Hochul and leaders in the state legislature – especially Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and State Senator Liz Krueger – for fighting to ensure that the most vulnerable New Yorkers can be treated at cancer centers across our state that are recognized by the NCI as being at the forefront of cancer diagnosis and care. Independent studies have shown that patients treated at NCI-designated cancer centers, such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, have better outcomes across multiple diagnoses and better five-year survival rates. Now, more New Yorkers will be able to access our leading-edge clinical trials and highly specialized cancer care. This is a great step forward in reducing cancer disparities and achieving health equity.
“Memorial Sloan Kettering looks forward to continuing to work closely with lawmakers in Albany and across New York to reduce health disparities in the fight against cancer.”
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK):
As the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has devoted more than 135 years to exceptional patient care, influential educational programs, and innovative research to discover more effective strategies to prevent, control and, ultimately, cure cancer.
MSK is home to more than 20,000 physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff united by a relentless dedication to conquering cancer.
Today, we are one of 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, with state-of-the-art science and technology supporting groundbreaking clinical studies, personalized treatment, and compassionate care for our patients.
We also train the next generation of clinical and scientific leaders in oncology through our continually evolving educational programs, here and around the world.
Year after year, we are ranked among the top two cancer hospitals in the country, consistently recognized for our expertise in adult and pediatric oncology specialties. www.mskcc.org.
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