Hospital networks in upstate New York are pushing for an increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate in order to alleviate a widening staffing shortage over the last several years. 

The Saratoga County-based Iroquois Healthcare Association on Thursday renewed its push for a 25% hike in the rate, saying the size of the request matches the overarching problem. 

A survey by the group of its upstate facilities found an overall staffing vacancy rate of 14.7%. The nursing vacancy rate is even higher at 18.3%. The trade organizations represents 54 hospitals. 

Hospital organizations in recent weeks have urged a boost in funding to address the staffing shortage. Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to unveil her budget proposal next Wednesday. 

"Our hospitals cannot continue down the path of negative operating margins and an uncertain future," the group said on Thursday. "Without a significant rate increase for upstate and rural hospitals, it is only a matter of time before their resources are completely drained. Ultimately, upstate residents will suffer when facilities and services continue to get dialed back or cut completely. This is a certainty."

Hochul has previously pushed for more health care training and an expansion of degree programs and backed bonuses for health care workers. The goal is to grow New York's health care workforce overall by 20% within five years. 

The pandemic has led to a sharp decline in health care workers in New York as well as labor unrest at hospitals in parts of New York. 

On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers in New York called for a 20% increase in the Medicaid rate for adult care facilities that have also struggled in recent years.