Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) today issued the following statement in response to North Star Health Alliance’s announcement that it has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings:

“As an Assembly office, we have a responsibility to fight for our constituents and demand open dialogue from state agencies when solutions are needed. We were not made aware of North Star’s intent to pursue this course of action. Rural health care matters, and New York state must prioritize protecting local jobs and essential services. Enough time has passed; this must be fixed now, before our community is pushed deeper into a health care crisis.”

Blankenbush emphasized that access to quality health care is critical for North Country families, seniors, veterans and workers, and said he will continue pressing state leaders and health care officials for transparency, accountability and immediate action to protect patients, employees and communities impacted by the filing.