By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The State Senate and Assembly are holding separate hearings in the Buffalo area Monday on the controversial recommendations to close and merge dozens of hospitals in New York.
The State Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century is recommending that nine hospitals be closed, including Millard Fillmore Gates Circle in Buffalo and St. Joseph in Cheektowaga. In addition, the commission is calling for the merger of Kaleida Health and the Erie County Medical Center.
State Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples -- a Buffalo Democrat -- says she expects to hear a lot of opposition to the recommendations.
"If they're anything like the hundreds of letters and phone calls I've received, they're not going to be too happy." Peoples said. "But I have received some letters from people who do think the recommendations are timely and need to happen."
Peoples says she hasn't yet made up her mind, though she admits she's leaning toward accepting the commission's recommendations. They'll become law on January 1st unless lawmakers vote to reject them in their entirety.
Republican State Assemblyman Jack Quinn of Hamburg says there's a possibility of a vote during this week's special session of the Legislature.
The State Senate's hearing began at 10:00 Monday morning at UB's Center for Tomorrow. Testimony was by invitation only. Assemblywoman Peoples says it was that restriction that prompted the Assembly to hold a separate hearing at 11:00 at the downtown library. She says they want to give everyone the opportunity to have their voice heard.