WATERTOWN, NY – Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) today issued the following statement in response to North Star Health Alliance’s announcement that it will seek state approval to permanently close labor and delivery services at the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus in Ogdensburg, the only birthing center within 30 miles.

“Our community deserves adequate, reliable and accessible health care. Full stop. I remain opposed to the closure of the labor and delivery unit at Claxton-Hepburn. It is a serious loss for expectant mothers and families across St. Lawrence County, many of whom now face long drives, in all seasons and all weather, to deliver their children.

“At the same time, I understand the financial fragility of this operation. I understand the numbers driving these decisions, and I do not dismiss the difficult position this health system is in. But understanding the financial reality is not the same as accepting this outcome as final. My hope is that when a partner health system is identified, there will be an opportunity to appeal this decision and restore labor and delivery services in Ogdensburg. Any partnership agreement should put the restoration of this service squarely on the table.

“The state of New York has made a significant investment in this health system, including $15 million in grant funding through the Department of Health and a $45 million loan through the Dormitory Authority. That investment was made to preserve services, not to preside over their elimination. Every decision made through this restructuring must be measured against that standard.

“I also want to be direct about communication. The public deserves better. Families, employees and the entire region need to know where this is headed and what the objective is for health care services in this community. Announcements of closures, one after another, without a clear picture of the end state only deepen anxiety and erode trust. North Star and the Department of Health owe the public a transparent roadmap for what services will remain, what services will be restored and how care will be delivered going forward.

“The closure plan now heads to the Department of Health for review, a process that includes an opportunity for the public to be heard. I encourage every resident to make their voice heard.

I am also asking the governor to step in and preserve health care in this region and to ensure the Department of Health gives the fullest scrutiny to this closure of a critical service in St. Lawrence County. I will continue working with the Department of Health and North Star leadership to preserve essential services in the North Country and to hold everyone involved accountable for their commitments to rural health care access.