CM Brooks-Powers on Far Rockaway Trauma Center need and cost

Thank you, chairs, and thank you for the testimony today.

I'm going to just go ahead in the interest of time and ask the questions, and then I can repeat any question I need to.

But always great to see you, Dr.

Cass.

Great to see you.

And the full H&H and CHS team.

So first, Dr.

Cass, you have been a strong partner in the Far Rockaway Trauma Center efforts and have heard the needs of our community.

Based on previous conversations, we have estimated that a level one or level two trauma center would cost approximately $200 million in capital to construct.

As far as you are aware, is this still a reasonable cost estimate for this facility?

Next.

The executive budget includes additional funding in the next few fiscal years for CHS operations and pharmaceutical operations.

Can health and hospitals explain the rationale for these increases and how they will improve services for CHS patients?

And the last two, how does New York City Health and Housing Authority

Hospitals track and measure trauma cases across the city.

And what is the average travel distance and transport time for trauma patients to reach a level one or a level two trauma center citywide?

And how does that compare with the residents of the Rockaways?

And I know, Dr.

Katz, you had shared in an interview a while back a very...

Profound statistic in terms of the number of trauma centers in the different boroughs.

And if you could just on the record share based on the boroughs where our trauma centers are located and how many they have, I'd appreciate it.

I'll do my best.

Let's just deal with the CHS question because that's very straightforward.

The increase really reflects the increase in volume of the number of detainees on Rikers.

So Rikers has been much more crowded than before.

And so some of it is just the per person cost of their medical care.

And then we're very proud of providing the same level of care at Rikers that we would provide to anyone.

And so that means many more injectable drugs that are expensive, but that we believe ultimately provide good care.

So it's a combination of more people, more expensive pharmaceuticals.

I remember.

Maine with you, a big supporter of the Rockaway Trauma Center.

I feel that the fact that it is a 40-minute trip to the nearest

level one or level two trauma center, assuming reasonable traffic, which as we know is not always the correct assumption.

There are, as you know best, there are only two ways off the peninsula and both of them can be very congested.

And it is a very long and thin peninsula, which means that

added time depending upon where exactly on the peninsula it is.

So I think that there is a very strong argument that it is wrong for people to have to wait the 40 minutes for definitive care and that lives are lost at that.

In terms, I can only say that other parts of the city have better coverage.

I don't have the exact numbers, but I can certainly give a sense.

Staten Island has two trauma centers, and while it's, if you will, a fatter island, it's not nearly as long.

Right, so in terms of travel distance, it would be significantly shorter.

Manhattan is certainly the place where there are the most trauma centers in a very small area.

people would have access to a trauma center.

In most cases in Manhattan, I would say, you know, no more than 10 minutes would be like the furthest within Manhattan.

Brooklyn has Kings County, Maimonides,

and NYU Lutheran, I don't know, I may be missing, I feel like I'm missing one.

But again, for the size, much shorter travel times.

That really, when you look at the city as a whole, the Rockaways stand out in terms of the time people would have to travel.

And that's why I support it with you.

Thank you.

And in terms of the cost, as far as you're aware?

Oh, yes, it's correct.

Yes, thank you for reminding me.

Yes.

Yes, that is still inaccurate.

I recently verified the number with a group that builds hospitals, and they agreed that $200 million is the capital cost.

Thank you so much, Dr.

Katz.

Thank you, Chairs.

Okay, great.

Councilmember Caban, followed by Brewer.