Some New York State Hospitals, Nursing Homes Ahead of Schedule for Closure, Restructuring Plans

Efforts in New York state to close nine hospitals, restructure 50 hospitals and eliminate nearly 3,000 nursing home beds under the state's plan to overhaul the health system are under way, with some ahead of schedule, according to the state Department of Health, the AP/Albany Times Union reports (AP/Albany Times Union, 12/1). Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) and the state Legislature in 2005 formed the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century to recommend changes to the state's health care system (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 11/29/06). The recommendations, which became law on Jan. 1, are intended to reduce Medicaid costs and improve care.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) on Friday said, "Implementing the ... recommendations is critical to making health care in New York more efficient, affordable and patient-focused," adding, "We are already seeing tremendous progress with respect to implementation and beginning to feel the transformative effects." The state will provide $550 million to aid in the closures and consolidations, health department spokesperson Claudia Hutton said (AP/Albany Times Union, 12/1).