When Beth Israel Hospital in Lower Manhattan closed its doors earlier this month, New Yorkers got a massive wake-up call. Across the country, major health care institutions have been grappling with a wave of disinvestment, fueling a crisis that has already led to the closure of countless life-saving facilities this century. The future health of our city and its 8 million residents hinges on the investments we make today, yet we are falling short in prioritizing our health care infrastructure.
The contrast between cities that invest in health care infrastructure and those that don’t is stark. As someone who has spent decades advocating for smart infrastructure investment, I’ve witnessed how strategic planning makes the difference between communities that thrive and those that struggle. New York cannot afford to join the ranks of cities watching their health care systems deteriorate while others surge ahead.
Upgrading hospital infrastructure isn’t merely renovating tired buildings — it’s about constructing the foundation for 21st-century health care delivery. Consider the extraordinary evolution of medicine over the past 150 years. From the advent of X-rays to groundbreaking treatments for once-incurable diseases, medical science has made quantum leaps.
Today’s breakthrough therapies and diagnostic tools demand facilities that can keep pace. Without modernization, our hospitals risk becoming obsolete, unable to deliver the precision medicine and compassionate care that New Yorkers expect and deserve.
New York City’s aging population has increased by 53% since 2000, reaching approximately 1.5 million residents. More seniors means greater demand for specialized services, from geriatric care to chronic disease management. Without modernized facilities across all five boroughs, this growing population will overwhelm an already strained system.
Health care infrastructure investment also means jobs. Major hospital modernization projects typically generate hundreds of permanent positions and thousands of construction jobs — real opportunities for hardworking New Yorkers who form the backbone of our city’s economy. That’s why we’re seeing unprecedented coalition support across the health care sector — unions like the New York Professional Nurses Union and Laborers Local 79 recognize that building better hospitals builds stronger communities.
Leading health care systems understand that their commitment must extend beyond hospital walls. When health care providers invest in accessibility improvements to their community and neighbors, they exemplify the comprehensive approach New York needs — health care institutions that strengthen our broader infrastructure ecosystem. This integration of health care and transit infrastructure exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking leadership our city needs.
Northwell Health’s ongoing investments from Long Island to Staten Island and from Queens to Manhattan demonstrate the power of sustained commitment. Their proposed revitalization of Lenox Hill Hospital, which includes funding improvements to the 77th St. subway station, exemplifies the kind of comprehensive planning that every major health care project should adopt. Such projects serve as blueprints for how we must approach health care infrastructure citywide.
Cities across America are learning this lesson the hard way as hospitals shutter and communities lose access to vital care. We cannot let New York follow that path. Every day without strategic investment is a day we fall further behind in meeting our city’s health care needs. The choice before us is clear: invest in modern health care infrastructure that meets our evolving needs or allow our health care system to deteriorate.
Moreover, these projects embody the kind of public-private collaboration that has always driven New York’s most outstanding achievements. When health care providers, labor unions, community leaders, and infrastructure advocates unite behind common goals, remarkable things happen. Broad coalitions of support emerge because stakeholders recognize transformative potential.
Modern hospitals with state-of-the-art technology do more than just save lives and maintain our health — they attract top medical talent, drive innovation and position New York as a global health care leader. These facilities become anchors for economic development, drawing businesses and residents who value quality health care access. For a city that prides itself on being the best, there’s only one acceptable answer.
Let’s unite behind vital health care infrastructure projects and ensure that future generations of New Yorkers inherit the health care system they deserve — modern, accessible, and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Hospital revitalization projects aren’t just about building better facilities; they’re about building a better New York. And that’s an investment worth making.
Scissura is president and CEO of the New York Building Congress.
