(The Center Square) – Save Our States wants New York Republicans in Congress to look into nonprofit hospital spending.
The conservative watchdog says Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian put executives ahead of patients while getting taxpayer money and tax breaks.
Executive Director Trent England called for the review in an Oct. 8 letter to New York’s Republican members of Congress. The Center Square obtained a copy.
“Yet, while American families struggle with rising healthcare costs, many of these subsidized, tax-exempt health systems prioritize executive perks and other luxuries over frontline workers and patient care,” England wrote.
Mount Sinai reported over $4.6 billion in revenue in 2024, England wrote. That included $571 million from the federal 340B drug-pricing program and nearly $107 million in government grants.
The 340B program lets qualifying hospitals and other providers buy discounted outpatient drugs.
Mount Sinai’s CEO made over $5.4 million in 2024, England wrote. Its former CEO made nearly $7.2 million in 2023.
Mount Sinai did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
England also questioned Mount Sinai’s status as a rural hospital. He said it lets the New York City hospital get funds meant for rural areas.
“Taxpayers deserve to know whether nonprofit hospitals are using taxpayer-subsidies and government-created advantages to benefit patients or not,” he wrote.
Mount Sinai South Nassau on Long Island spent just 0.4% of its revenue on financial assistance in 2020, the letter says.
England cited a 2022 Wall Street Journal report that found the hospital forgave bills only for patients at or below the federal poverty level.
A 2017 federal audit estimated Mount Sinai Hospital received at least $41.9 million in Medicare overpayments in 2012 and 2013. Auditors found billing errors in 110 of the 261 claims they checked.
Mount Sinai spent over $10.6 million on advertising in 2024, England wrote. He also cited Moody’s two-level credit downgrade, which was driven by lower cash on hand and other operational problems.
The letter says several Mount Sinai facilities failed to meet federal rules requiring hospitals to post their prices. It also cites this year’s nurses’ strike over staffing and health benefits.
The Justice Department announced a Sept. 4 agreement with Mount Sinai over so-called gender-transition treatment for minors.
Mount Sinai agreed to stop providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and sex change surgeries to minors. It also agreed to pay a penalty and set aside $2 million for free care for people harmed by such drugs, hormones, and surgeries as children.
Mount Sinai denied the allegations. The agreement didn’t establish liability.
Save Our States released its Nonprofit Hospital Accountability Report in June. It reviewed 14 hospital systems, including Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian. The Center Square previously covered those findings.
The group has since run campaigns criticizing both systems.
“Americans need elected officials to ensure that subsidized nonprofit hospitals prioritize patients by delivering affordable and high-quality care while also valuing the frontline workers who serve our communities,” England wrote.
