A New York state commission recently recommended that Crouse Hospital and the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center merge into one facility, with a maximum capacity of 500 to 600 beds.The report, released by the New York State Assembly Health Committee, recommended closing nine hospitals state-wide and reconfiguring 48 others, the first time that the state will take proactive measures with regard to healthcare.

According to the Bergen Commission, which wrote the report, ‘New York state should strive for health coverage that is universal, continuous and affordable to individuals and families.’The report additionally stated that if the two Syracuse-based hospitals do not go along with the merger, they would be severely penalized.

The state could delay any major expansion or improvement project. In total, both hospitals’ current project plans cost approximately $187 million, according to the report. The commission is aiming to reduce the number of hospital beds by seven percent statewide or 4,200 beds total, according to the report.

‘I agree with the broader view of the commission – this will mark the first time ever that the state will take a proactive stance in healthcare, while trying to reduce the costs,’ said Thomas Dennison, Ph.D. professor of practice, health services management and policy in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The commission calls for five New York City and four upstate hospitals to close their doors. Embedded in the 48 reconfigurations of state-wide hospitals is the merger of Crouse and SUNY Upstate Medical Center hospitals.

‘First of all, we concur on the broad points regarding some ineffectiveness within the state and consolidation in some of the markets,’ said Dr. David R. Smith, president of SUNY Upstate Medical University.

The Bergen Commission’s bed number isn’t realistic, said Bob Allen, director of communication at Crouse Hospital. ‘On any given day – between the two hospitals – there could be well over 600 patients.’SUNY Upstate Medical Center officials agree with Crouse officials’ assessments, Smith said.

‘The combined consensus has been well over 635 patients a day,’ he said. ‘If the reality of patient occupancy rate rises, it would defeat the commission’s recommendations.’ According to the report, Crouse Hospital holds 576 beds and averaged a 47 percent occupancy rate during the past three years. The report also states that SUNY Upstate Medical Center holds 366 beds, and averaged an 80 percent occupancy rate during the same time period. The hospitals have a combined 942 beds.

‘It really puts a burden on the (Syracuse-based) providers to strengthen their relationships, and not ignore the new laws,’ Dennison said.

During the winter season, the flu or any other virus could travel around, which could potentially fill the hospitals with patients, Allen said. ‘The number recommended is not an accurate or realistic number,’ Allen said.

The annual report was released on Nov. 28, 2006. It included recommendations regarding state-controlled hospitals and long-term healthcare facilities.

The commission drafted its report based on the fact that there are more than 10,000 empty beds in New York state hospitals. New York state would save approximately $806 million annually by following the recommendations, according to the report.Additionally, the Bergen Commission recommended that the other SUNY teaching hospitals become privatized.

‘We believe that the commission didn’t take into effect the cost of privatization,’ Smith said. ‘Converting SUNY Upstate from a public hospital into a private entity would cost in upwards of $866 million.’Even so, the state never provided official documentation of requesting the merger, he said.

By privatizing the SUNY teaching hospitals, the construction of new wings and recruiting new staff would seem unrealistic, Smith said. Additionally, he says the teaching college would suffer a great deal.

The SUNY College of Medicine is the teaching college of Upstate Medical Center, so anything affecting Upstate also affects the college, Smith said. Not only will the changes be seen in the hospital and on campus, but they will also be felt within the community.Upstate Medical Center is the largest employer in Onondaga County, Smith said. ‘We are more than just academics.’

All the talk of reconfiguration has the Upstate Medical Center community concerned.’The students and faculty have begun to question us with regard to the new changes,’ Smith said. ‘However, I keep telling them that we will be here in one year, as well as 10 years from now.’

Published on January 22, 2007 at 12:00 pm