NYSNA Statement on Mount Sinai New Patient Policy

NYSNA released this statement in response to news that Mount Sinai stopped accepting some new patients on public insurance:

NYSNA is appalled by Mount Sinai’s refusal to accept certain new patients with public insurance plans. Federal healthcare cuts already threaten our most vulnerable patients—children, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants, and lower income New Yorkers—as well as our struggling public and safety net hospitals. As a nonprofit healthcare system, Mount Sinai has a responsibility to serve all patients. As one of the wealthiest systems in New York, Mount Sinai can afford to serve all patients, rather than forcing some patients to seek care at struggling hospitals that already serve a disproportionate number of vulnerable patients. Hospitals should never withhold care or use patients as bargaining chips in negotiations with insurance companies.

Mount Sinai must clarify their policy on new patients. Mount Sinai pulled information on their website about not accepting some new patients only after reporters found it. We urge Mount Sinai hospital administrators to allow these patients to make appointments and receive care, and to fulfil your obligation to serve patients regardless of insurance status, including Medicare and Medicaid coverage.

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The New York State Nurses Association represents approximately 45,000 members in New York State. We are New York’s largest union and professional association for registered nurses. NYSNA is an affiliate of National Nurses United, AFL-CIO, the country's largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses, with more than 225,000 members nationwide.