Two local hospitals will receive a total of nearly $13 million from the state, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday.

Carthage Area Hospital will receive $9,144,000 and River Hospital in Alexandria Bay will receive $3,753,430.

The grants are made available through the state's Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL NY).

Sen. Patty Ritchie said the money will help the Carthage hospital strengthen its financial condition.

The hospital has faced financial challenges in recent years. In 2010, a software glitched caused billing errors that resulted in $8 million the hospital is still trying to collect.

That's on top of $10 million of debt the hospital has from expansions and new programs.

"This funding will help Carthage Area Hospital address the needs of the local community, including Fort Drum," Ritchie said.

"This funding will enable them to become financially stable and ensure they can continue to provide quality services," said Assembly member Addie Russell.

The funding for River Hospital, Russell said, "will impact the entire North Country region."

"This funding will facilitate a more efficient delivery of health care and other important primary and community care improvements," she said.

Statewide, $301.1 million in HEAL NY grants will help 40 hospitals and nursing homes improve primary and community-based care, eliminate excess bed capacity, and reduce over-reliance on inpatient care in hospitals and nursing homes.

The awards are allocated through the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and are part of nearly $3 billion in funding that has been invested in health care reform through 20 separate HEAL NY phases over the past seven years. 
 
See a news release from the governor.