The healthcare network that operates two hospitals in the North Country is on thin ice. Earlier this year, the North Star Health Alliance filed for bankruptcy, fired employees, and cut essential healthcare services.
Earlier this month, North Star announced that it’s cutting its labor and delivery services at the hospital in Ogdensburg.
But this closure would need state approval first. On Wednesday, July 29, North Star held a public hearing in Ogdensburg to address the community’s concerns.
NYSNA, politicians, and community members rally outside before North Star’s public hearing on the closure of labor and delivery. Photo: Richard Haller
Members of the state’s nurses union (NYSNA), local political leaders, and community members gathered in front of the Ogdensburg Free Academy.
There were at least 300 people who showed up to call on the Department of Health to stop North Star from closing its birthing unit at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center.
Cynthia Small is a longtime Ogdensburg resident. She said she went to the hearing for answers.
“I’d like to know if any more programs are going to be cut. Hospitals have to be run efficiently and have to make a dime, or they can’t provide services, but nobody wants to have to drive half an hour or an hour away.”
Elise Henja is a labor nurse at the Canton-Potsdam hospital, which is the closest option for expecting mothers to drive to if the birthing center closes in Ogdensburg.
“I know when a baby’s having complications or mama’s bleeding, there can be an immediate threat to life if she has to travel more than half an hour to a hospital,” she said. “So for patients without rides or patients who have to drive over an hour for maternal care, this can mean life or death for mom and baby.”
She said she’s terrified of the strain these cuts will put on nearby hospitals and that Canton-Potsdam doesn’t have enough beds for more patients.
People poured inside and filled up the seats in the auditorium for the official hearing.
People begin filling seats at the public hearing at Ogdensburg Free Academy. Photo: Richard Haller
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The proposed closure of the birthing center in Ogdensburg comes after half a year of financial turmoil for the healthcare network. North Star failed to provide the Department of Health with information on how it used past funds, which led to its former CEO resigning, mass layoffs, cutting of services, and bankruptcy.
North Star officials sat on stage as more than 30 people spoke against the proposed cuts.
The North Star Health Alliance leadership. Left: Chief Operating Officer, Jerian Odell; CEO, Andrew Manzer. Photo: Richard Haller
Celina Burns was born at Claxton-Hepburn.
“These are people, and I have had the experience of delivering 5 children at Claxton-Hepburn Hospital. All five pregnancies were complicated, and I probably wouldn’t have had my five children today if that department were not there.”
Alicia Crossman is a surgical nurse at Claxton-Hepburn.
“After 25 years of serving this community, I know what patients need because I’ve been there with some of them through the best and worst moments of their lives,” she said. “I urge you to keep this OB department open, not just for today’s families, but for generations to come”
The birthing center in Ogdensburg isn’t the only service facing closure under North Star. There are proposed cuts to the Sleep Center at Carthage Area Hospital, as well as primary care and physical therapy services at the Philadelphia Medical Center in Jefferson County.
CEO Andrew Manzer and North Star Chief Operating Officer Jerian Odell listened to the public comments. Odell agreed that the situation is dire.
“We were awarded financing that does not get us through the end of the year. That’s the real state of emergency that we are in.”
NYS loaned North Star $60 million for relief.
Odell said these cuts are intended to save the rest of the hospitals from closing, including the Meadowbrook Assisted Living Facility and the Ogdensburg Cancer Treatment Center.
“I’m personally not just worried about the next OB patient,” said Odell, “I’m also worried about the 55 residents who live in Meadowbrook and Carthage. I’m worried about the numerous cancer patients who come for the amazing program that we have.”
People express their concerns during the public comment hearing. Photo: Richard Haller
After the public hearing, North Star CEO Andrew Manzer said he appreciated how many people showed up. He said it sends a message to Albany that help is needed.
“And that actually gives me a lot of confidence. More confidence than I had walking in today. That the challenges we have will be overcome.”
The Department of Health announced that it’s identified Rochester Regional as a potential healthcare partner for North Star. Manzer said this will be a lengthy process but that he’s hopeful it’ll come to fruition to stabilize the hospitals.
Jessica Thurton is a surgical nurse at Claxton-Hepburn. She said these cuts are part of a gutting of healthcare across rural communities.
“The broader concern is complete and total lack of access to care,” she said. “You know, rural lives matter just as much, and our healthcare matters just as much. And unfortunately, a lot of the people in this area are low-income, low socio-economic status, so they don’t have the means to get where they need to go, so they go without care.
Many people at this hearing called on New York State and the Department of Health to step in and help prevent North Star from closing its labor and delivery services in Ogdensburg. Assemblyman Scott Gray said it’s essential that these services remain in these communities and that the state should look at every available option before making a decision.