Schenectady, N.Y.-based Ellis Medicine hosted a free community forum Oct. 1 on the future of healthcare in Schenectady, CBS 6 Albany reported the same day. President and CEO Paul Milton planned to give updates on healthcare access, new investments and merger talks.
A legal fight over cardiology services hangs over the event. Ellis Medicine and St. Peter’s Hospital are suing each other over 27 cardiologists who signed one-year noncompete agreements with St. Peter’s. Ellis says St. Peter’s pressured the physicians into signing.
The dispute has led to proposed legislation and drawn in the New York Attorney General’s office.
Patients worry about keeping their care, according to the report. Carol Phillips, an Ellis cardiology patient, said she would stay with her cardiologist and hope she didn’t need any procedures within the year. Eugene Nachamkin, who has been an Ellis cardiology patient for 25 years, said: “Moving a set of physicians out of Schenectady where there’s no other group like that here, that’s not taking care of the residents.”
Ellis will also use the forum to point to other moves. These include adding CareNet Medical Group and moving its Niskayuna OB-GYN practice to Bellevue Woman’s Center.
Mr. Milton’s update comes as Ellis tries to protect cardiology access for Schenectady residents while it weighs merger discussions.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
