At Staten Island’s Richmond University Medical Center, Rep. Malliotakis Welcomes Dr. Oz

Malliotakis Welcomes Dr. Oz to Staten Island’s Richmond University Medical Center

See the video of the Congresswoman’s remarks here.

Editor’s note: We recently covered a discussion between members of Congress and Health and Human Services director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about Lyme disease and its prevalence and early detection possibilities.  A short time ago, Rep. Malliotakis welcomed Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to a community clinic on Staten Island that serves the health and wellness needs of veterans, along with a discussion in a telephone Town Hall.  Rep. Alexandria Ocaaio-Cortez also recently hosted a virtual town hall where she discussed many of the real world effects of the OBBBA which are already playing out across the country and are expected to disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities overall.  

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) welcomed Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to Staten Island for a visit to Richmond University Medical Center. The two met with RUMC leadership and other hospital personnel.

During the visit, Congresswoman Malliotakis toured the hospital, met with Graduate Medical Education students, and participated in a roundtable discussion with hospital leadership and community healthcare leaders. The hospital also signed the CMS Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, committing to take steps to make hospital meals healthier for patients.

The discussion included the importance of providing healthy food options in hospital settings, the hospital’s behavioral health programs, the vital role the hospital plays for Staten Island residents, and the challenges of operating as an independent safety-net hospital in New York City.

“Our local hospitals play a critical role in caring for our community, especially seniors, low-income patients, and those in need of behavioral health services,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “I was glad to welcome Dr. Oz to Richmond University Medical Center to see firsthand the work being done by their doctors, nurses, students, and staff. As an independent safety-net hospital in New York City, RUMC faces unique challenges, and I’ll continue working with CMS and our local healthcare leaders to bring these issues forward and identify funding, resources, and solutions that will better serve Staten Islanders.”

“I appreciated the opportunity to join Congresswoman Malliotakis, meet with hospital leadership, students, and healthcare professionals, and hear directly about the work being done to support patients, including access to high quality nutrition,” said Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “CMS remains committed to strengthening access to quality care, supporting healthcare providers, and working with local partners to better serve communities across America.”

Congresswoman Malliotakis has helped deliver more than $10 million for Richmond University Medical Center this year through the appropriations bill passed in February. This included direct community project funding she supported, as well as funding through the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital program, which supports hospitals that care for low-income and uninsured patients.

 

 

Banner Image:  Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, Dr. Oz, and RUMC leadership at Richmond University Medical Center. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis