Greenville Reporter

Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., has raised questions regarding NYU Langone's decision to spend $8 million on a 30-second Super Bowl advertisement. In a letter addressed to Dr. Robert Grossman, CEO of NYU Langone, Congressman Murphy expressed concerns about the hospital's financial priorities given its non-profit status and reliance on federal funding.

"NYU Langone receives several sources of federal funding and enjoys a tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization, yet it spent at least $8 million on a 30-second Super Bowl ad," stated Congressman Murphy. He further commented that such spending raises questions about the hospital’s commitment to its non-profit mission amid rising healthcare costs in America.

NYU Langone purchased the ad for Super Bowl LIX despite reporting substantial income and having charity care expenses reportedly below half the national average of 2.6 percent. The congressman also pointed out that NYU Langone sought classification as a Rural Referral Center under Medicare through legal loopholes, allowing it to receive payments intended for rural hospitals while being located in Manhattan.

Murphy’s letter detailed his request for information from NYU Langone by March 5, 2025, including the cost of the advertisement, production expenses, total private donations since 2015, and an explanation of their Rural Referral Center classification mechanism. Additionally, he asked for details on federal funding received in 2024 and specifics regarding charity care expenditures.

The congressman's inquiry extended to financial practices involving offshore investments. He questioned the purpose of an entity listed with assets exceeding $1 billion domiciled in Barbados and requested clarification on how these investments benefit New York City communities served by NYU Langone.

In closing his letter, Congressman Murphy highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability for organizations benefiting from public funds to ensure they fulfill their charitable missions effectively.