Proposed Law Seeks Public Input Before Hospitals in New York Can Cut Critical Services

Garnet Health announced a restructuring plan on June 17 that will lay off 42 employees. Garnet also said it will end Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services at Garnet Health Medical Center and Outpatient Diabetes Services at Garnet Health Medical Center and Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, due to what the hospital says is “ due to consistent underutilization.” Additionally, Garnet Health Medical Center’s Trauma Program will transition from a Level II Trauma Center to a Level III Trauma Center designation “to better reflect current utilization, a more sustainable model, and our community’s needs.”As Garnet Health restructures its services in The Catskills, New York lawmakers have passed a bill aimed at giving communities more say when hospitals plan to shut down or eliminate critical services like maternity care, mental health units, or emergency rooms.Advocates say the lack of transparency and community input in hospital closures has left many New Yorkers—especially in communities of color and rural areas—without reliable access to care. Now, all eyes are on Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the final say.Tim Bruno spoke with Lois Uttley with Community Voices for Health System Accountability about what the Local Input for Community Healthcare Act would change—and why supporters are pushing the governor to sign it into law.