Western New York Assemblymen Joe Giglio (R,I,C-Gowanda) and Jack Quinn (R,C,I-Hamburg) today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation to prevent the implementation of recommendations by the “Berger Commission” to downsize both the TLC Tri-County Health Center in Gowanda and the Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville.

The commission has recommended that Bertrand Chaffee Hospital downsize by at least 25 beds, seek designation as a critical access hospital, and affiliate with the TLC Health Network.

It also calls for TLC Tri-County to eliminate 28 medical and surgical beds and convert the facility’s remaining ten to detoxification beds.

“These hospitals are vital to quality, accessible health care in an area that is predominantly rural,” said Assemblyman Giglio. “Downsizing these facilities would hamper our residents’ ability to receive prompt care in an area that already faces many challenges with a shortage of doctors and nurses.”

“We cannot sit back and allow the commission to devastate the health care system in our region,” said Quinn. “These facilities provide access to health care for vulnerable populations such as elderly and low income residents. I will fight to prevent health care services for these citizens from being denied.”

The Commission on Health Care Facilities in the twenty-first century, headed by Stephen Berger, was established in 2005 to determine the viability of hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities across New York state and recommend closure, downsizing, or consolidation based on its findings.