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Hochul recommends $200M for Upstate Community Hospital ER upgrade

Cars drive under the sky bridge that connects the parking garage to the Upstate Medical University Hospital in downtown Syracuse.
Upstate Hospital
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Upstate Medical University
Cars drive under the sky bridge that connects the parking garage to the Upstate Medical University Hospital in downtown Syracuse.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 2026 budget includes $200 million for a new emergency room at Upstate Community Hospital, less than half the $450 million requested by local leaders.

Central New York legislators and hospital officials had sought funding to replace the 60-year-old ER and make additional upgrades, citing outdated facilities that no longer meet current medical needs. The funding decision now moves to budget negotiations.

Bob Beck, a veteran media professional, currently serves as a part-time editor/host at WAER Public Radio and an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. Beck retired as News Director at Wyoming Public Radio in 2022 after 34 years. During his time, Beck won 5 regional Edward R. Murrow awards and 5 Public Media Journalists Association awards for reporting. He also won 11 PMJA awards for the news and public affairs program Open Spaces. He was awarded the Wyoming School Bell award for education reporting and was part of two Emmy Award winning television productions. You can find him on X under the name @butterbob.