The Watertown, N.Y., City Council is weighing a resolution urging the New York State Department of Health to reject North Star Health Alliance’s plan to close labor and delivery services at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg and an ASC in Watertown, CBS-affiliate WWNY-TV reported Aug. 4.
Council member Shane Garrabrant said the gesture matters even if it carries little regulatory weight. “I realize it’d probably be of small significance, but it’s something we could do to show support of the North Country as a whole,” Mr. Garrabrant said Aug. 4.
Council member Robert Kimball said he doubts a resolution will change the outcome but believes it would still offer support to affected patients and staff. Council member Doug Osborne said passing the measure would be “a good gesture” from North Country representatives.
Watertown Mayor Sarah Pierce proposed sending a letter to the Department of Health rather than adopting a formal resolution. Ms. Pierce’s suggestion had not been acted on as of the meeting.
North Star Health Alliance, based in Ogdensburg, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2026 and has since cut more than 100 positions as it restructures operations across the North Country region.
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