Hospital Closures?

[ILADVOCATE]

This article details a bill vetoed in New York State that would prohibit future hospital closures without government supervision. On the one hand, I know that hospitals are in many ways for profit and have the right to regulate themselves. On the other hand, because of what happenned 3 hospitals closed down where I live and emergency rooms (especially now with the swine flu) are said to be "dangerously overcrowded" so without this law it can only happen again and in other counties and everyone, not just patients but people who were employed by the hospitals loses out. But everyone has the right to their own perspective of course:
http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2009/10/13/news/top_stories/doc4ad4d18be6a88962349334.txt

[Myown]

Thanks ladvocate, I can see good reason then why the people in the community wouldn't be happy with the gov..
  

[ILADVOCATE]

From what I read of it it was supposed to authorize a thorough evaluation when a hospital was stating it was closing due to bankruptcy or other reasons and might apply retroactively to the two hospitals that did close and might have required them to reopen. It was to actively discourage hospitals from closing as they are a vital part of any community healthwise. Unfortunately the governor of New York state vetoed the bill but he is lagging in political popularity for a variety of reasons and when there is another election there very well may be a change as things have not improved to say the least and some things have taken a downturn not just economically.

[Myown]

I can't seem to grasp what is happening here after I read this. What exactly would this bill have done? It would help give more time in order to get things in order - patients, jobs, records etc?  

[HelpinUtah]

I haven't had a chance to read this article but I will this weekend!  Thanks!  :)