Maimonides Health To Join NYC Health + Hospitals In Major Brooklyn Health Care Merger

Maimonides Health will merge with NYC Health + Hospitals and formally join New York City’s public health care system, city officials and the Brooklyn-based provider announced Monday.

Maimonides Health CEO Ken Gibbs said the merger remains subject to final legal and regulatory approval and is supported by a $2.2 billion state grant intended to protect Brooklyn’s health care safety net.

Under the agreement, Maimonides’ three hospitals and 80 community-based sites will qualify for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates through their partnership with the city, according to the announcement.

The merger has been divisive within the community, with many askanim and longtime supporters of the hospital stressing that Maimonides was built by and for the Jewish community and should remain independent. Critics warned that folding the institution into the city system could lead to a decline in conditions at the hospital and expressed concern that long-standing accommodations relied upon by Jewish patients and families could be placed at risk.

Officials said Maimonides patients will also gain access to Epic, an online health records system designed to improve coordination between patients and their physicians.

“All of our 11 hospitals have their own identity and culture, and Maimonides will retain its unique character and commitment to the communities it serves,” NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz said. “As we move forward, we will work with its amazing, dedicated clinicians and staff to ensure a smooth transition for everyone, especially its patients.”

Gibbs said the merger will allow the institution to expand on its longstanding mission. “Joining NYC Health + Hospitals will allow Maimonides to build on our history of providing outstanding specialty care to the communities we have proudly served for decades,” he said.

City officials emphasized that patient care will not be interrupted during the transition period.

Mayor Eric Adams said the merger will strengthen health care delivery citywide, with a particular impact on Brooklyn. “By bringing two storied health care systems together under one umbrella, we will ensure that Brooklynites, and all New Yorkers, can continue to receive the high-quality care that they deserve,” Adams said. “NYC Health + Hospitals is the envy of cities everywhere, and New Yorkers trust the care they receive at its 11 hospitals and many other patient care sites. This effort preserves and strengthens care in my home borough of Brooklyn, and will be great for the thousands of patients who use Maimonides every day. I thank Governor [Kathy] Hochul, Dr. Katz, and Maimonides for joining in this shared vision to serve all patients and deliver the trusted care they deserve.”

The announcement followed remarks earlier Monday by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who said he had renominated Katz to continue overseeing NYC Health + Hospitals and reappointed Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason K. Graham.