NUMC to Move Forward with Bed Reduction Plan

The board of directors at (NUMC) voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a plan that would cut approximately 10 percent of the hospital's beds to help reduce costs, according to Newsday.

The plan, which will now be submitted to Albany, is part of a state and federal push to reduce the cost of lengthy hospital stays.

From Newsday:

NUMC's proposal, which the hospital hopes will result in a $30-million state grant, also calls for a closer alliance with the North Shore-LIJ Health System and more use of its doctors. To help strengthen its negotiating position with managed care plans, the hospital is also applying to the state to permit it to obtain assistance from North Shore-LIJ.

Jerry Laricchiuta, president of Nassau's Civil Service Employee Association, questioned the relationship between NUMC and North Shore-LIJ at the meeting.

"Where are we going? We are a public benefit corporation," Laricchiuta said.

Under the plan, 50 of the hospitals 530 beds would be eliminated, including 10 inpatient detox and 10 chemical dependency rehabilitation beds.

With the state grant, Newsday reported that NUMC would then build an expanded primary care area near the emergency department to better manage patients' overall care and to help keep them out of the hospital.

"Either we change with the times or we get left behind," Arthur Gianelli, President and CEO of NuHealth said.

Do you think this is a plan that should move forward? Tell us in the comments.