It’s too early to know whether, as Gov. Cuomo insists, the deal between SUNY and its critics over the fate of Long Island College Hospital is “a victory for all parties.” But one thing is for sure: If it doesn’t create a system that puts actual health care needs over the employment of staffers and the political needs of politicians, someone (think: taxpayers) will pay.
The governor claims the deal underscores the “reality” that “yesterday’s costly, inefficient models of delivering [health care] service are no longer viable options.” But the lawyer for the community groups that sued to block LICH’s closure insists the agreement should lead to “a full-service hospital” — which would not be viable or cost-efficient. So which is it?
Under the deal, SUNY can sell LICH without further legal opposition and shut the facility down if the deal isn’t completed by May 22. But it also gives the political and union advocates, who were led by then-candidate Bill de Blasio, an unprecedented voice in vetting the bidders.
Moreover, a rewritten bidding process will be heavily weighted in favor of a full-service hospital.
The mayor Friday praised the deal and vowed similar battles against any and all future threatened hospital closings.
But the Berger Commission long ago established that New York, and Brooklyn in particular, have a glut of unused hospital beds.
De Blasio insists he gets that and wants to ensure the “sustainability” of hospitals. But he also says changes must come “on terms that leave no New Yorker behind.” That will certainly be a hard circle to square.