Saving
SUNY Hospitals: Round 1
By DEBORAH A. MILES
When the news from the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century
hit in November to close, privatize and consolidate hospitals and nursing homes
around the state, PEF jumped right into the ring to let state lawmakers know the
union opposed the recommendation to privatize the SUNY hospitals.
Round 1 was tough. PEF leaders threw punches by testifying against what became
known as the Berger Commission’s proposals. PEF President Ken Brynien and others
shared the facts and their views in Albany, Syracuse, New York City and Long
Island at state Assembly hearings. An ad campaign was launched — “Bad Medicine
for New Yorkers.” The final jab was a multi-union rally at the Capitol.
Still, the Legislature, which convened for a special session in December,
ignored the mass of health care workers who turned out for the rally on a rainy
day. Reporters seemed to be the only ones who heard the resounding chants of
“Bring it up and vote it down.”
Without any legislative action on the commission’s recommendations, the
proposals became law January 1. As a result, nine or more hospitals could be
eliminated, hundreds of jobs lost and other hospitals would be forced to shrink,
merge or privatize.
Gearing up for Round 2
“PEF made an aggressive effort to prevent these recommendations from becoming
law,” said PEF President Ken Brynien. “The battle isn’t over yet. We will review
and act upon any legal avenue available to us.”
Brynien said the Legislature could amend parts of the law, and in an Albany
Times Union story, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno was quoted saying: “The
Legislature and Gov. Eliot Spitzer can address issues in the plan that need to
be fixed.”
Bruno also said he supported the thrust of the report because it would save the
state money and secure $1.5 billion in federal aid.
“The federal aid is tied to health care reform, not necessarily to the findings
of this particular report,” Brynien said.
Bring it on
At the rally where six unions teamed to oppose the plan, PEF Region 11
Coordinator Jemma Marie Hanson said, “We’re here to fight against the
privatization of SUNY hospitals. We are not going to allow these public
hospitals to be cut. They bring vital services to communities, they assure our
professionals are trained and they take care of the uninsured and under-insured.
We’re not going to let poor people suffer by not having a community public
hospital.
“We are going to continue to fight to keep SUNY,” Hanson said. “More legislation
needs to be put onboard to change this public institution into a private
institution. We are going to work with our legislators to assure this doesn’t
happen. Whatever it takes, we’re going to do it.”
Two SUNY Upstate nurses and PEF members Ellen Havens and Ann Salvagni said they
were at the rally because they believe privatization would be detrimental to the
hospital’s communities and surrounding counties.
“It’s our responsibility as nurses to do something,” Salvagni said.
Bad deal for Central NY
SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse is targeted for privatization under the
plan.
PEF launched a billboard campaign in the Syracuse area in January and February
telling state lawmakers to save Upstate Medical Center.
“There’s no evidence that privatization of these SUNY facilities would save
money,” Brynien said.
The Berger Commission calls for SUNY Upstate to be taken over by Crouse Hospital
which recently emerged from bankruptcy after falling $91 million into debt and
has an average occupancy rate of less than 50 percent. SUNY Upstate has an
average occupancy rate of 80 percent and is financially sound, according to
Brynien.
“The Berger Commission plan will harm the citizens in Central New York,” said
June Edwards, a PEF nurse leader who has worked in both the Burn and Trauma
Centers at SUNY Upstate. The hospital also has other specialty centers.
Edwards said the hospital serves people in 17 counties.
“If the recommendations in the plan come to pass, 4,000 jobs will be lost and
the beds will be reduced from 900 to 500. We recently treated more than 700
people who got food poisoning. God forbid there is some type of accident or
chemical exposure,” Edwards said.
“If we let the state do what’s in the report, New York will get a failing grade
for health care. We cannot and will not let that happen,” Brynien said.
For updates and PEF call-to-action plans to amend the new law, visit the PEF Web
site at www.pef.org.
Tell State Lawmakers: Save Upstate
Medical Center. Say NO to the Berger Commission
The Communicator Feb. 2007
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