HealthAlliance Theater

I suppose we should be pleased that HealthAlliance at least appears to be interested in what the public has to say about the fact that hundreds of good-paying Kingston jobs might go the way of the Dodo, but I also know that these types of hearings are often nothing more than executive ass-covering, theater designed to make it look like we have input, when behind the scenes the agenda has already been written and the executives go and do what they had intended all along.

Still, if you're in the Kingston area, it can't hurt to make your voice heard:

The first of two public forums focusing on the future of health care in the region as consideration is being given to closing one hospital in Kingston will be held tonight.

The session will be at 6 p.m. at City Hall on Broadway. The Freeman will livestream the event on its website at dailyfreemanonline.com.

“I am pleased that we are going ahead with plans to facilitate public discussion regarding the future of health care in our region,” state Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, who will host both of the forums, said in a news release. “As a constituent consumer myself, I know firsthand how important it is to keep our communities informed and actively involved in the process.”

Cahill said he will be joined by officials with HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, the parent company that operates Kingston and Benedictine hospitals.

A second meeting will be held at 6pm on Thursday at Cahill Elementary in Saugerties for those on the north end of the Kingston area.

Personally, I think these HealthAlliance employees are going to end up getting screwed. Why? Because that's what virtually always happens under such circumstances. Still, HealthAlliance could turn around and surprise us all. I just wouldn't bet real money on it.