Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas Renew Call for Closure of Burdett Birth Center to Be Cancelled, With Public Meeting on Issue Scheduled for Wednesday
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin is again urging the Governor to cancel a proposal to shut down the only birthing center in the county, making his request on the eve of an important public meeting on the issue.
McLaughlin and county Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas encouraged residents concerned about the proposed closure of the Burdett Birth Center at Samaritan Hospital to attend a public meeting on the issue on Wednesday evening. The meeting will be held at the Bulmer Telecommunications Center on the Hudson Valley Community College campus from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
One of the first public officials to announce opposition to the Burdett closure plan when it was announced last spring, McLaughlin said many issues remain unanswered by the owners of Burdett, St. Peter’s Health Partners.
“This is a bad move for Rensselaer County and several other communities in two other counties, and creates potential health, safety and quality of life issues. The Governor should do the right thing and immediately order her Health Commissioner to reject the Burdett closure plan and keep this facility open,” said McLaughlin.
“We believe it is unfair for a county the size of Rensselaer County, and the several surrounding communities including Cohoes, Watervliet, Green Island and Waterford, to be without this needed service. State leaders need to listen to the people,” added McLaughlin.
Wachunas has joined McLaughlin in making numerous statements in opposition to the closure of the Burdett Birth Center. Wachunas was among those who testified at a hearing last year convened by the Attorney General.
“Residents would be forced to travel greater distances to access needed medical services, which is unfair to our communities. The proponents of the closure have not addressed the many concerns and questions that remain about the closure, and in many ways, concern has only grown,” said Wachunas.
“So many have utilized the Burdett Birth Center for years and we worry about the overall impact on medical services in our county. At one time, our county could rely on several full-service hospitals in a driving time of only 30 minutes, but that number has been reduced significantly,” added Wachunas.