The Berger Commission's report on hospital and nursing home closing and downsizing proposes significant restructuring of New York's health care delivery system. Now that the Commission has made its recommendations, the Assembly wants to hear from people in the affected communities and on the front lines of the health care system. What will these recommendations mean for communities and health care? What should be done with the recommendations?

The Assembly Health Committee will hold public hearings on the Commission report in each of the regions targeted by the Commission's recommendations. The Health Committee will also hold the Assembly's first electronic hearing by inviting people to submit testimony to its new e-hearing e-mail address. This 'e-hearing' will enable the Committee to hear from many more people than will be able to testify at the formal hearings.

The Berger Commission report is available on the web at: www.nyhealthcarecommission.org/.

Governor George Pataki appointed most of the members of the Commission, including the chair, Stephen Berger. The State Health Commissioner will have the power to implement the recommendations, unless the State Senate and Assembly both vote to reject the entire package by December 31, 2006. The commission was created by state budget legislation in 2005.

Persons wishing to attend or present testimony at this hearing should complete and return the reply form by December 7. It is important the form be fully completed and returned so persons may be notified in the event of postponement or cancellation of the hearing.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes in length. All testimony is under oath. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. This request should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as soon as possible. Ten copies of any prepared statement should be submitted at the hearing registration table.

People who cannot attend the hearing may submit testimony by e-mailing a Word attachment to: HealthHearing@assembly.state.ny.us. (People who attend the hearing are also encouraged to e-mail their testimony, in addition to providing ten copies at the hearing.)

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

Questions about this hearing may be directed to Elsie Chun at 518-455-4371.

BERGER COMMISSION REPORT
Public Hearing Reply Form

Mail to: Assembly Committee on Health, The Capitol, Rm. 522, Albany, NY, 12248
Or fax to: 518-455-4693

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