New York City nurses are calling for reforms as an industry plagued by a “broken” health care system threatens their livelihoods and the future of their profession.
Why It Matters
Nurses were considered vital and lauded as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, when at the outset the National Institutes of Health highlighting their “critical roles and responsibilities” that included front-line patient care in hospitals; ensuring personalized, high-quality services irrespective of infectious conditions; and engaging in planning for outbreaks stemming from coronavirus-related outbreaks that could overwhelm health systems.
“These are issues that have preceded the pandemic and will continue until hospitals make serious efforts to recruit and retain nurses and invest in safe patient care,” Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), told Newsweek.
“We’re also witnessing the effects of a broken healthcare system,” she said.
“Patients can’t afford care, so they put it off, and they come into hospitals much sicker than they ever were. The looming Medicaid cuts will only make this worse. NYSNA nurses are trying to hold hospitals accountable and also do as much as possible on the policy front to expand access to care.”
What To Know
Hagans said that she and other nurses have complained about a nursing shortage for years.
“NYSNA nurses have always maintained that there are more than enough nurses, but hospitals refuse to make real efforts to recruit and retain nurses,” Hagans said. “We are seeing many more grads entering the profession than nurses leaving. Through better working conditions, safe staffing, and pay and benefits that respect nurses, hospitals could address whatever staffing issues they create.”
However, NYSNA, New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses, which represents over 42,000 nurses and health care professionals, has been vocal about recent actions by some hospital systems that are cutting costs as well as jobs.
Montefiore Moses and Weiler
In February, dozens of Bronx nurses at Montefiore Moses and Weiler spoke out about purported overcrowding and minimized services in emergency departments and hospital floors, as well as some surgical and palliative care services.
Montefiore recorded a 0.2 percent operating loss in the first quarter of 2025. The statement, provided to Newsweek, says that while finances remained consistent year over year, “the proposed changes to reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid are drawing the attention of healthcare providers across the country.”
“As one of the largest employers and providers of healthcare in the Bronx and Westchester, we are navigating a challenging and uncertain healthcare environment,” Montefiore officials said. “Yet, we remain committed to providing the highest quality care to our communities, and to evaluating opportunities to reduce expenses and diversify our payer mix.
“We implore elected officials to continue partnering with institutions like ours, serving a patient population that is 85 percent covered by government payor, to ensure sustainable funding.”
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
In May, the NYSNA criticized NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a nonprofit academic medical center in New York City, following the announcement of a 2 percent staffing cut across their system—calling it “outrageous and deeply offensive” due to NYP being the city’s wealthiest hospital system and one of the country’s most financially stable.
“Given current macroeconomic realities and anticipated challenges ahead, we have made the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by approximately 2 percent,” an NYP spokesperson told Newsweek.
“Where possible, we are working diligently to identify new and similar roles for impacted team members.
“To elaborate, the healthcare environment continues to evolve, including changes to Medicaid and cuts to research grants to our medical school partners. In addition to these external factors, we are seeing fewer inpatients than expected and incurring higher expenses than projected. Focusing on improving efficiencies and managing expenses is a prudent action that will enable us to continue our mission of providing excellent care for our patients and communities.”
Hagans said that hospitals like Presbyterian, “with hefty amounts of cash on hand and historic executive pay,” should be doing all they can to maintain and expand care rather than cut it.
Albany Medical Center
On June 5, nurses at Albany Medical Center called out the hospital for its ongoing refusal to address the staffing crisis and protect patient care.
The criticism was in response to the nurses providing an update on the hospital’s responses to a State Department of Health (DOH) report that found more than 500 violations, including 480 relating to safe staffing standards and 24 procedural violations. The violations were found across 26 different units, including 32 specifically within the neonatal intensive care unit, according to NYSNA.
Almost a year after its initial investigation, and following several rejected correction plans, the DOH has yet to issue fines or prompt substantive change from the hospital, according to NYSNA. They called on the Albany Med Board of Directors to hold the hospital accountable.
Nearly a year after its first investigation and several rejected correction plans, the DOH has yet to issue fines or spur substantive change from the hospital.
Roughly 1,000 nurses signed a petition calling on Albany Med to negotiate a fair contract that will help address the staffing crisis.
“There have been no nursing cuts at Albany Medical Center,” Sue Rajchel, spokesperson for Albany Med, told Newsweek. “That is why we welcomed 300 new nurses in 2024 and are committed to hiring 400 nurses in 2025.
“Our workforce is our greatest asset. We are continuing to negotiate with the union in good faith. We remain confident that our most recent contract proposal, which includes robust wage increases and enhanced benefits, is strong and fair. We will continue to listen to our nurses and advocate for them as we always have.”
What People Are Saying
Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, told Newsweek: “Less nurses compromises care. Period. The recent layoffs at Presbyterian will affect children and vulnerable patients most dramatically. Presbyterian has said that the impacted services will continue at other campuses, but for many, traveling long distances for care puts that care out of reach.”
What Happens Next
“For nurses who know these cuts will negatively impact their communities, it’s extremely demoralizing. But NYSNA nurses will keep fighting,” Hagans said.
The post Nurses Were Covid Heroes. Now They’re Being Squeezed by Medicaid Cuts appeared first on Newsweek.
