'Save Genesee Hospital'
Activists storm state health dept.
By Gene
Clancy
Rochester, N.Y.
Patients, hospital employees and other supporters arrived
at the New York State Health Department offices here on April
26 with petitions in hand. The 700 signatures, gathered in a
very short space of time, demanded that the health department
refuse to approve the closure of Genesee Hospital.
The corporation Via Health is attempting to close down the
facility, which serves poor and working people in this
city.
The All-People's Congress, a community-based organization
helping lead the struggle to keep the hospital open,
organized the April 26 event.
Advocates seeking to save the hospital tried to deliver
the petitions to Michael J. Linse, assistant regional
director of the New York State Health Department.
His office had informed protesters that Linse was inside.
But repeated requests to speak with Linse or deliver the
petitions were initially denied.
So several protesters pushed past security guards and took
elevators to the fifth floor where Linse's offices are
located. After a brief confrontation, Linse emerged from a
back room. He agreed to meet with demonstrators and to
receive the petitions.
Protestors demanded that Linse "do his job"--defend the
public health interests of the Rochester community against
the predatory practices of private health corporations.
The health department has allowed parts of the hospital to
be closed despite the fact that it has not yet approved the
closure plan as required by law. These health officials have
even refused to disclose the closure plan to the public,
citing "confidentiality" concerns.
Although officials called police against the protesters,
the cops made no arrests. The action was widely reported by
local media.
The petition campaign to save the hospital is continuing,
and other actions are planned.
This article is copyright under a Creative
Commons License.
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