NYS Department Of Health Immediately Responds To Letter From Senator Larkin

This morning Senator Bill Larkin (R-C-I, 39^th District) received a call from NYS Department of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker’s office to discuss the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) application to close the Cornwall emergency room.  The call was prompted by Commissioner Zucker in response to a letter written by Senator Larkin on August 16^th, calling on the rejection of St. Luke’s application.

During the phone call, Senator Larkin stressed how keeping the Cornwall emergency department open is critical to protecting the health and safety of his constituents.  The Senator urged the Department of Health to reject SLCH’s application to close the emergency department and called on the Department to work with the community and SLCH to ensure that emergency services will be available when they are needed.

According to Department of Health officials, the St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital application is still under review and no decision has been made yet.  However, during the call representatives of the Commissioner stressed the importance of Senator Larkin’s feedback on this matter and that it would be taken into consideration before a final decision is made.

“I thank the Commissioner for his prompt response,” said Senator Bill Larkin.  “As promised I will continue to fight for my constituents on this issue.”

A copy of Senator Larkin’s August 16^th letter is attached to this press release.