ABINANTI RESOLUTION TO PROTECT DOBBS FERRY HOSPITAL FROM CLOSING PASSES FULL BOARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2006
Contact: Thomas J. Abinanti
Tel: (914) 328-9000 or
Cell: (914) 592-7100
Westchester County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D,I,WF-Greenburgh) last week introduced a Resolution asking the State Legislature to vote down the recommendations made by the “Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century” to close the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry and the nursing facility at Andrus-on-Hudson. Today, at a meeting of the full Board of Legislators, the Resolution passed unanimously.
The Commission was appointed by Governor George Pataki for the purpose of reviewing New York’s healthcare facilities for possible consolidation and/or closure. The Commission released its report recommending such actions last week.
On Friday, Abinanti’s Resolution, seconded by Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D,I,WF-Yonkers), unanimously passed the Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee, which is chaired by Legislator Michael B. Kaplowitz (D,I,WF-Somers).
“In addition to Resolutions passed by the Villages of Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley and Hastings-on-Hudson, my office has received dozens of calls and e-mails from the Greenburgh Community asking for help to save Dobbs Ferry Hospital,” said Abinanti. “This hospital and the nursing home at Andrus, are vital to the county-wide medical network necessary to meet Westchester’s needs, particularly in light of the anticipated commercial and residential growth in Yonkers and White Plains.”
At a recent Senate hearing on the issue, Legislator and State Senator-elect Andrea Stewart-Cousins submitted written testimony opposing the facilities’ closure. Stewart-Cousins noted that Dobbs Ferry Hospital was purchased not too long ago by St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, and the two have worked well together. “The Dobbs Ferry facility is only about 8% Medicaid, so its closure would not equate to a significant savings for taxpayers,” she stated.
Click here to view the Resolution.
