OGDENSBURG, New York (WWNY) – A North Country health care system is preparing to lay off more than 100 employees.
North Star Health Alliance made the announcement Monday afternoon.
The layoffs include management, clinical, and non-clinical employees.
“We expect the impact to be around 120 positions and that’s almost a 50-50 split between the two campuses. We understand behind every position is a person, behind that person is a family, and obviously, these decisions affect all of those folks, said North Star President and CEO Richard Duvall.
North Star operates Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Campus in Ogdensburg as well as Carthage Area Hospital.
The news comes as North Star and New York state are in a struggle over funding, while the healthcare group readjusts how it handles patient care in Ogdensburg.
In December, the health care group lost state funding aimed to help Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center transition to a new business model.
The state says it cut off funding because North Star wasn’t answering its questions as to how the money was being spent.
North Star is adamant it is being transparent and wants to continue to give the state the information it wants in order to keep the health care group intact.
“There’s still a delta between what the Department of Health is requesting for information and all the information that’s been provided. So we’re still trying to work through that,” said state Assemblyman Scott Gray (R. – 116th District).
The layoffs include management, clinical, and non-clinical employees.
Gray says he’s trying to work with DOH and hopes the layoffs are temporary.
State Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush represents Carthage and, in a statement, says he has “been in regular communication with hospital leadership and other elected offices to work collaboratively in support of the hospital workforce.”
Meanwhile, a Department of Health spokesperson says it’s up to North Star to run its facilities and “will continue to talk with North Star to support continuity of care for patients in the community.”
A North Star spokesperson said everything is being evaluated, including its clinics.
“Any changes that involve discontinuing or closing a service must follow required State review and approval processes. If any such changes occur, affected patients will be notified directly and supported with referrals as needed, access to medical records, and care transition planning,” said Jessica Bowline, director of marketing and public relations.
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