Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) is calling on the state to take immediate action as North Star Health Alliance faces a critical financial deadline that could lead to severe service cuts and potential closures affecting communities across the North Country.

Gray said, “North Star has informed the bankruptcy court that it has about one week to obtain significant state funding or face severe cuts and potential expedited closures. Judge Wendy Kinsella has requested a face-to-face meeting with the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, and that meeting must lead to action. The DOH’s delay is inexcusable.”

The situation has reached a critical point for health care in the North Country. Hospitals, workers and patients cannot afford further delays as the system moves closer to cuts and closures, putting access to care for entire communities at risk.

“The governor must intervene now and direct the DOH toward a resolution that safeguards patient care, workers and essential community services. Albany cannot keep warning about the potential harm of H.R. 1 to health care while allowing a North Country health-care system and the community it serves to fall further into crisis,” Gray said.

With patients, workers and entire communities depending on these services, he stressed that Albany must remain engaged and continue working toward a long-term solution to stabilize health care in the region to avoid an already escalating crisis.