Potsdam, NY, May 12, 2009 — President Barack Obama meets today with business executives to talk to them about the high price of health care. In a meeting at the White House yesterday, representatives of hospitals, insurance companies, drug makers and doctors promised to cut $2 trillion in costs over 10 years by improving coordination, focusing on efficiency and embracing better technology and regulatory reform. Obama calls their pledge a watershed event in a long and elusive quest for health care reform. Many lawmakers are skeptical. And the President acknowledges the step will be meaningful only if it is part of a larger and successful effort toward universal health care coverage for Americans. Martha Foley spoke with David Acker, CEO of Canton-Potsdam Hospital, about how the federal health care reform discussion plays out in rural northern New York.  Go to full article

Feb 03, 2009 — A war of words and television advertisements has erupted over the Governor David Paterson's proposed multi-billion dollar cuts to the health care budget. The state's largest hospital and health worker coalition has unleashed TV ads sharply criticizing the governor. Paterson's aides say the ads are "misleading" and "factually inaccurate." Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jan 08, 2009 — Governor Paterson says the state has to reform its healthcare system, to provide better coverage to more people at a lower cost. That's an ambitious goal. State officials plan to test-drive the state's new health model here in the North Country. A $9.5 million pilot project will launch next summer, linking hospitals and clinics from Glens Falls to Plattsburgh to Saranac Lake. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 17, 2008 — Governor Paterson's budget plan envisions shifting a huge chunk of government spending in New York from state income taxes to local property taxes. Paterson wants to eliminate the STAR property-tax rebate checks, while slashing support for Medicaid programs and school districts. Budget officials also want to freeze the amount of property taxes that the state will pay for forest preserve land in the Adirondacks. State Senator Betty Little says those moves could be especially damaging in the North Country.  Go to full article

Sep 11, 2006 — Providing health care to Amish communities poses unique challenges. So unique that the subject will have its own breakout session this week at the 5th Annual Conference on Rural Health. The conference starts today in Chatauqua.
Melissa Thomas is a social worker with the Community Outreach of Ohio Health. 10 years ago she got a grant to do breast cancer screenings in the Appalachian area of Ohio. She realized that Amish women weren't showing up at the mammogram clinics. So she got a mobile booth to come to them. As she told Gregory Warner, that still wasn't enough.  Go to full article

Apr 06, 2006 — County executives joined with state senators to advocate for an agreement on how to fight Medicaid fraud. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 08, 2006 — Senate Republicans released a plan for fighting Medicaid fraud that they hope can be part of the new state budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 08, 2006 — Governor Pataki's proposed budget would mean hundreds of millions of dollars in funding cuts to hospitals and nursing homes statewide.  Go to full article

Feb 08, 2006 — The state Senate yesterday overrode the Governor's veto of a bill that extended prescription drug coverage to those affected by confusion over the new Medicaid part D drug plan. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jan 30, 2006 — A nursing home in Rouses Point is closing. The State approved the closure of Cedar Hedge Nursing Home this week. About 40 residents will be displaced, and a staff of 85 will be let go. The closure comes as nursing homes across the state are experiencing financial trouble. A state commission is expected to recommend some nursing home closures by the end of the year. Cedar Hedge administrator and founder Dawn Pollack says the closure didn't come as a surprise.  Go to full article