The Berger Commission has mandated that Benedictine Hospital and The Kingston Hospital create an affiliation or face the closure of one of the hospitals. The affiliation plan must be completed by December 31, 2007.
As a public service Benedictine Hospital will post on this web site documents pertaining to the development of this new health care delivery system.
For more information on the affiliation, including Frequently Asked Questions and a way to ask a question please visit: www.healthyulster.org
Press Releases
Realignment of Hospitals Moves Forward
Hospitals Announce Community Forum Schedule on Proposed Realignment
Joint Statement by The Kingston and Benedictine Hospitals on the Berger Commission Report
On November 28 Benedictine Hospital and The Kingston Hospital issued a joint statement in response to the Berger Commission Report. Below is that statement.
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Testimony to the New York State Assembly Public Hearing
On December 11, Thomas A Dee. , President and CEO of Benedictine Hospital provided testimony to the New York State Assembly at a public hearing chaired by Assemblyman Kevin Cahill. At the hearing, an array of testimonies was presented by concerned citizens. Below is the testimony of Thomas A. Dee.
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Hospitals Sign Agreement
The Kingston Hospital and Benedictine Hospital today announced approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which represents the first major step of advancing the goal of creating a corporate affiliation between the two hospitals. The purpose of the MOA is to confirm the mutually agreed elements of an alignment between the two hospitals under a common corporate “parent” and to establish a mutually acceptable process and timetable for finalizing the alignment.
The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century (known as the Berger Commission) has mandated the two hospitals create an affiliation and has given the two hospitals until December 31, 2007 to create a plan under which a new corporation would be created to oversee the two facilities.
“The signing of the MOA represents the first step in a long and complicated process of joining the two hospitals. Our goal is to strengthen the quality of care and financial stability of the two hospitals. We will accomplish those goals by looking to consolidate where necessary and to expand services where they are most needed,” said William Le Doux, Chairman of the Board of Benedictine Hospital.
The MOA outlines some of the steps involved in creating the new corporate structure. The two hospitals will continue as separate and distinct corporations, each with its own trustees and corporate missions. The Kingston Hospital will continue to be a non-sectarian institution, while Benedictine Hospital will continue to be a Catholic hospital sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
“Ulster County has an opportunity to see real advancements in its health care system. The MOA outlines the process needed to create a better health care system for the patients we serve. Both hospitals will work to achieve better services and attract highly qualified professionals to our area. We cannot grow as a community without a solid, respected hospital system,” said Eugene Heslin, M.D Chairman of the Board of The Kingston Hospital.
The new Parent company will be a New York not-for-profit corporation. It will secure establishment approval under Article 28 of the New York Public Health Law. The Parent will also seek federal tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(C)3.
The Parent will have substantial powers and authority including: