Politics & Government

Concerns Raised Over Rumored Integration of NUMC and North Shore-LIJ

CSEA union president calls for legislative inquiry.

According to CSEA Union President Jerry Laricchiuta, (NUMC) in East Meadow is reportedly integrating into the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Hospital system, thus cutting off Nassau County's only remaining public hospital.

"This is about to happen," the former Massapequa Park village trustee told members of the Monday morning, adding that he had spoken to county comptroller George Maragos and Nassau Health Care Corporation CEO Arthur A. Gianelli about his concerns as well.

Laricchiuta described the situation as an "aggressive move" by NUMC administrators to "fully integrate" with North Shore LIJ, bringing the public hospital under the umbrella of a private entity. "We're talking about privatizing a good portion of the workforce," LaRicchiuta said. The approximate 3,800 members of the health care corporation have been without a contract for almost a year.

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The move would reportedly also affect the senior assisted living home A. Holly Patterson in Uniondale. Laricchiuta reported to the legislature that the extended care facility would "no longer (be) torn down and rebuilt" as state-of-the-art facility because the corporation is "seriously talking about selling it or closing it."

It is Laricchiuta's belief that since A. Holly Patterson is a public entity it cannot be sold.

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"We are trying to slow this process down," he said. "This needs more transparency, this needs to be publicly scrutinized."

Press releases issued in July and December 2009 indicate that some integration has taken place between the two hospitals, specifically in the fields of cardiology services and electronic health records.

Since the Nassau Health Care Corporation is a public authority and subject to the public authorities law, Legis. Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick, said he felt that "it's incumbent upon us not just to be getting information when you come at public comment... it's our job to get to the bottom of what's going on."

The Legislature's health committee is chaired by Rose Walker, R-Hicksville.  Legis. Norma Gonsalves, R-East Meadow, stated that if a hearing could not be held at the legislative building, she would hold one in her district.

"I will definitely have the CEO and his staff come and tell us about all the things that he's planning," she said.

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, stated that an independent consultant has been hired to "review any integration or any proposals to bring North Shore and the public benefit corporation" together. Schmitt added that he has requested that any draft of an agreement be sent to the independent budget office and county comptroller for review.

Any action taken that would impact the county's guarantee of the bonds on the hospital would have to come to the Legislature for approval. "I suspect if it puts us on the hook for $300 million in bonds, it's going to have a tough time getting approved," Schmitt said.

Update: a memorandum dated Nov. 8, 2010 from the county comptroller's office has raised concerns and objections to the service agreement between the two hospitals, most notably: a lack of alternative bids to manage NuHealth, a lack of defined benefits of the proposed integration, lack of safeguards to the Nassau County debt guarantee, an undisclosed management fee to North Shore-LIJ and a potential conflict of interest with Gianelli serving as both president and CEO of NuHealth and as a North Shore-LIJ employee.

Maragos' office has also raised a "critical" objection that "NSLIJ should be required (not may) to incorporate NuHealth into the existing NSLIH managed care reimbursement arrangements."

Update: According to Terry Lynam, vice president of public relations for North Shore-LIJ, the two hospitals have been discussing how to revise the existing agreement, but have not yet submitted a formal proposal. "The comptroller's letter refers to a draft document that in no way reflects the final terms of an agreement," Lynam said in a statement issued Tuesday. "We're a long way from having any agreement in place."

The two hospitals first signed an agreement to enhance NUMC's clinical and graduate programs in June 2005. The original agreement reportedly expired on June 29, 2010, but was extended for one year until June 30, 2011. 


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