NORTH ADAMS, MA – 1199SEIU Exec. Vice President Veronica Turner has issued the following statement regarding a recent state-commissioned report by Stroudwater Associates pertaining to healthcare service access and needs in the North Adams area:
“1199SEIU healthcare workers are encouraged that Stroudwater and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Office of Rural Health) have formally recognized in this report the clear need for a broad range of healthcare services in North Adams. These services should include expanded primary care services and the expansion of other outpatient services including ambulatory procedures, disease management, and prevention and wellness services. Most importantly, we are encouraged that Stroudwater and DPH have formally recognized the need for an acute care Critical Access Hospital in North Adams.
1199SEIU healthcare workers urge Berkshire Health Systems, DPH, and CMS to move quickly in efforts to certify the North Adams site as a Critical Access Hospital and to begin the expansion in North Adams of the other essential healthcare services recommended in the report.
However, even if Critical Access status is not obtained, it is clear Berkshire Health Systems and the state still have a responsibility to ensure a meaningful and timely expansion of healthcare services for the North Adams community. We look forward to working closely with state and federal elected officials, along with Berkshire Healthcare Systems, as 1199SEIU caregivers continue to play a leading role in efforts to ensure quality and accessible healthcare services and good jobs for the community of North Adams and the surrounding towns.”
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Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
“1199SEIU healthcare workers are encouraged that Stroudwater and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Office of Rural Health) have formally recognized in this report the clear need for a broad range of healthcare services in North Adams. These services should include expanded primary care services and the expansion of other outpatient services including ambulatory procedures, disease management, and prevention and wellness services. Most importantly, we are encouraged that Stroudwater and DPH have formally recognized the need for an acute care Critical Access Hospital in North Adams.
1199SEIU healthcare workers urge Berkshire Health Systems, DPH, and CMS to move quickly in efforts to certify the North Adams site as a Critical Access Hospital and to begin the expansion in North Adams of the other essential healthcare services recommended in the report.
However, even if Critical Access status is not obtained, it is clear Berkshire Health Systems and the state still have a responsibility to ensure a meaningful and timely expansion of healthcare services for the North Adams community. We look forward to working closely with state and federal elected officials, along with Berkshire Healthcare Systems, as 1199SEIU caregivers continue to play a leading role in efforts to ensure quality and accessible healthcare services and good jobs for the community of North Adams and the surrounding towns.”
# # #
Representing nearly 50,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
