§ 3601. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature hereby finds
and declares as follows:

1. Currently, the Clifton-Fine Hospital is a public hospital owned and
operated by the town of Clifton and the town of Fine.

2. The needs of the residents of the state of New York and of the
towns of Clifton and Fine in St. Lawrence County can best be served by
the operation of the Clifton-Fine Hospital by a public benefit
corporation having the legal, financial and managerial flexibility to
take full advantage of opportunities and challenges presented by the
evolving health care environment.

3. In order to accomplish the purposes recited in this section to
provide health care services and health facilities for the benefit of
the residents of the state of New York and the towns of Clifton and Fine
including persons in need of health care services without the ability to
pay as required by law, a public benefit corporation to be known as the
Clifton-Fine health care corporation shall be created to provide such
services and facilities and to otherwise carry out such purposes; that
the creation and operation of the Clifton-Fine health care corporation,
as hereinafter provided, is in all respects for the benefit of the
people of the state of New York and of the towns of Clifton and Fine and
is a state, municipal and public purpose; and that the exercise by such
corporation of the functions, powers and duties as hereinafter provided
constitutes the performance of an essential public and governmental
function.