Golden Testifies At Senate Health Committe In Support Of Victory Memorial Hospital
Albany- State Senator Marty Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), the Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, yesterday testified before the New York State Senate Health Committee hearing in Albany, in opposition to a report of theStateCommission on Health Care Facilitiesin the 21st Century,that recommends that Brooklyn's Victory Memorial Hospital be closed.
In his testimony, Senator Golden highlighted the fact that Victory Memorial Hospital is one of the major health care providers in the Bensonhurst-Bay Ridge community, serving close to 50% of all hospital admission from this community.
Golden stated, "It is clear that this decision to close Victory will substantially increase emergency room waiting times. There is certain to be a strong reaction to the Commission's recommendations within my community and across the State. The people in my district share the same sentiment of fear and feel their health care needs have been compromised. I strongly recommend a reversal of the initial position advocated by the Commission in the report. Anything less than that is a disservice to the people of my community, of Brooklyn, and all those served by Victory Memorial Hospital."
Senator Golden has also sent a letter to Governor George Pataki respectfully disagreeing with his conclusion that the Legislature accept the Commission's recommendations because it does not effectively address health care delivery concerns in our State.