New York State Sen. Jim Tedisco has asked Gov. Kathy Hochul to issue an executive order, call the Legislature back for an emergency session, or both, to protect cardiology patients at Schenectady, N.Y.-based Ellis Medicine.
Mr. Tedisco, R-C-Glenville, first raised the issue at an Ellis Medicine community forum and then sent Ms. Hochul a formal letter. His Oct. 8 release followed.
The professional services agreement between Ellis and Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter’s Health Partners expires Dec. 14. The two systems signed it as part of a planned merger that fell apart.
Ellis and St. Peter’s are in court over 27 cardiologists who signed one-year noncompete agreements with St. Peter’s. Ellis argues those agreements violate the services agreement between the two organizations. The cardiologists care for about 50,000 patients, and patients have voiced concern that the dispute could disrupt their care. New York’s Antitrust Bureau has also weighed in on the case.
Mr. Tedisco called the situation “totally unacceptable” and said “the clock is ticking.” He wants lawmakers to pass a noncompete ban aimed specifically at healthcare. Ms. Hochul vetoed a broader noncompete ban in 2023, and Mr. Tedisco also opposed that bill as too sweeping.
He argued that New York, which already faces shortages of physicians and nurses, cannot afford noncompete restrictions on its healthcare providers.
Twenty of the 27 cardiologists have resigned from St. Peter’s and plan to join Ellis in January. Ellis is preparing for their arrival with a new cardiology practice in a former VA clinic in Rotterdam, N.Y.
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