A commission brought together by state legislators will make public a report on downsizing the hospital and nursing home industries across New York State. The recommendations are due to become law if the governor or the Legislature does not scrap the plan in December.
Although, the commission has not made any announcement as to measures it will recommend, the general opinion is that some hospitals that are losing money and are under-used will be directed to close down.
Kenneth E. Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association told the New York Times, "I can make an educated guess based on what I think makes sense, like anybody else can, but that's all I can do is guess," adding, "They've played it extremely close to the vest."
Whatever the recommendation, it is bound to face opposition, say health care experts.
Questions like what will happen to the employees of hospitals ordered to close and nursing homes that are full but desperately need more funds, are likely to send economic shock waves reverberating throughout the state.
The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century has held public hearings and meetings in an effort to better understand what's at stake for the health community in New York. However, it has said little about what it plans to do, resulting in meager coverage by the media.
Kate Breslin, director of policy at the Community Health Care Association of New York, says, "We've been struggling with this all year."
She added, "How do you light the issue on fire and get people involved when you really don't know what's going to happen?"
