Dear Governor Hochul,
Since 2022, Stony Brook University Hospital, including Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital and Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, Long Island State Veterans Home and Stony Brook University have been actively engaged with SUNY and the Division of Budget (DOB) in submitting claims totaling over $195 million for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pursuant to the Robert T Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) after the nationwide emergency declaration for the Covid-19 pandemic. Per FEMA, this Act provides for “eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the Covid–19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program.”
Stony Brook University Hospital, et al., have submitted thousands of eligible expenses and documentation for reimbursement for 100% federal cost for expenses incurred prior to July 1 2022 and 90% federal cost for expenses incurred after July 2, 2022 by all requested deadlines. FEMA committed to apply federal funding to all eligible Covid-19 costs for work performed and items including employee labor, purchased supplies, equipment, leased equipment and facilities and contract costs.
Private hospitals applied for reimbursement directly to FEMA and have been reimbursed. SUNY’s hospitals were required to apply through the DOB who submitted the applications to FEMA. Since SBUH is not the applicant, they were unable to contact FEMA directly. Stony Brook University Hospital, et al., have been in communication with the DOB and have urged them to ask FEMA to expedite the process.
On September 8, 2024, SBM representatives met with SUNY and DOB which revealed that FEMA seems overwhelmed by pandemic related reimbursement across the nation.
Representatives from SUNY, DOB, and Senator Schumer’s office have a request into FEMA for a meeting,
I join with them in urging prompt payment to Stony Brook University, Stony Brook University Hospitals, and the Long Island State Veterans Home. I would also ask that pandemic relief deadlines be extended.
Stony Brook University and Hospital is Suffolk County’s largest employer and one of our economic engines. Delays in FEMA reimbursements affect the University and the general economy of Suffolk County.
Ed Romaine
Suffolk County Executive