Heads up, Queens residents: cancer care is about to get a major upgrade in your borough. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a hefty state investment to bolster healthcare in Jamaica, Queens, to the tune of $180 million. Set to establish the borough's premier comprehensive cancer care center, this big-ticket project finds its home at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC). According to QNS, locals won’t need to trek to Manhattan for top-tier treatment anymore.
During her press conference with healthcare executives and local politicians like Rep. Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards in tow, Hochul described the project as a game-changer for those in need. But beyond the headlines, this investment means practical changes. Collaborating with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), the new 90,000-square-foot cancer center aims to mirror the world-renowned care provided across the East River. Having radiated with a longstanding partnership with MSKCC, Bruce J. Flanz, President and CEO of MediSys Health Network, highlighted to QNS how this extension was a natural evolution.
Funding for this healthcare haven comes from the state's Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program—a part of FY25’s Enacted Budget meant to foster collaborations between safety-net hospitals and seasoned healthcare institutions. Gothamist notes that the state is pledging up to $188 million in capital funding to bring this cancer center into fruition, as detailed by Gothamist. These initiatives are part of a wider effort confirmed by Governor Hochul, who has stated, “Every person should have access to affordable, reliable health care regardless of the ZIP code they live in.”
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t an isolated incident. There’s a slew of other hospital projects in New York receiving similar investments, aiming to elevate patient care and bolster health outcomes for underprivileged communities. Not only is JHMC benefiting from this initiative, but other partnerships such as Glens Falls Hospital with Albany Med Health System, and St. Barnabas Hospital linking arms with Cityblock Health, are also on the receiving end of this program, as reported by Gothamist.
On the human side of this development, elected officials have given personal testimonies to highlight the project’s significance. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards recounted to QNS an over an hour subway journey to visit his grandmother for cancer treatments at MSKCC, decades ago. His sentiment was echoed by Rep. Meeks, who said, “To say that Sloan Kettering is now partnering with Jamaica Hosptial says to all of us- all of you who are living in Queens and look to this hospital for service- it says that we are deserving.” It's clear this center is more than bricks and beams; it’s a statement of equity and healthcare for all.
The Healthcare Safety Net Transformation Program has begun accepting applications on a rolling basis. The initiative aims to improve healthcare access in underserved areas, aligning with Governor Hochul’s commitment to allocate additional resources in FY26, as outlined in her 2025 State of the State address. A new cancer treatment center is planned for Jamaica, Queens, which will enhance local healthcare infrastructure. With increased state funding, the new facility is expected to reduce travel times for residents seeking specialized care, potentially lessening the need for trips to Manhattan.
