Suffolk Notebook: County Health Clinics to Be Consolidated in Southampton

A money-saving plan put forth by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone that is also aimed at improving health care on the South Fork calls for consolidating the county-operated family health centers in Southampton and East Hampton into one federally qualified health center.                     

Federally qualified health centers are Medicare “safety net” providers designed to enhance primary care in underserved communities.   

The Suffolk County Health Center at East Hampton and the Kraus Family Health Center at Southampton are currently operated by the county, but under the proposal they will both be moved under the roof of the Southampton Hospital annex in Southampton Village and operated in partnership between Suffolk County, Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook University and Hudson River HealthCare.     

The county expects the move will save taxpayers $3.8 million over five years and the new center will offer improved health services.            

In 2012, the county similarly converted the Elsie Owens Health Center at Coram into a federally qualified health center operated by Hudson River Health Care, saving taxpayers $1.7 million, according to Bellone’s office.    The County Legislature is expected to vote Tuesday on moving $2.2 million in capital funds to make them available for this project.   

Suffolk County Celebrates Nurses Week

National Nurses Week, which wrapped up on International Nurses Day on Sunday, May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, sparked a bevy of appreciation for nurses across Suffolk County.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone pointed out that, despite the flagging economy and diminished resources, involved in Suffolk County’s community health programs continue to play a critical role in improving health care.

Nurses work to help improve patient outcomes; increase access to care; contain communicable disease outbreaks; educate patients, families, and members of the community; respond to disaster situations; shape public policy; teach, conduct research and more, he said.

“We commend our nurses for their excellence and for their dedication to deliver services that are essential towards meeting the complex and demanding health care needs of our community,” Bellone said.  “Almost everyone will at some time in their life interact with a nurse and will be the better for it.”

Dr. James Tomarken, commissioner of health services, added, “They deserve our deepest gratitude and respect.”

Suffolk County Nabs Best-Tasting Water Title

Raise your (water) glasses in a toast — the Suffolk County Water Authority has been voted to have the best tasting water on Long Island, according to the Long Island Water Conference’s 28th annual Best-Tasting Water Contest.

“I would like to congratulate the Suffolk County Water Authority on this much-deserved accomplishment of having Long Island’s best-tasting water,” said Long Island Water Conference Chairman Mike Boufis. “This contest is an excellent way to celebrate drinking water week and further shares with Long Islanders how great our drinking water is. “

The final competition took place at the first-ever, co-sponsored groundwater symposium on May 10.  The conference served as a culmination to the weeklong celebration of National Drinking Water Week and part of the ongoing effort to encourage residents to choose tap water because of its purity and taste.  

Legislature Gives Green Light to Expanded Sunday Bus Service Plan

A proposal to expand Sunday and evening bus service passed unanimously in the Suffolk County Legislature on Tuesday.

Suffolk Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced last week an agreement that will provide a minimum of $1.1 million and up to $2.1 million in funding to expand Sunday bus service across Suffolk County.

Those advocating for the new legislation believe the expanded service could prove an environmental and economic boon.

The legislation was approved last Tuesday by the Legislature's public works and transportation committee; the measure passed unanimously at the Suffolk County Legislature's general meeting in Hauppauge this week.

Co-sponsored by Suffolk County Legislators Al Krupski, Sarah Anker and Tom Muratore, the measure has received bipartisan support, Schneiderman said.

In addition, the legislation has received support by transportation advocates and the county’s Welfare to Work Commission.

“We are building upon the successful pilot program for Sunday bus service we launched two years ago on the East End,” Schneiderman said. “Sunday is a busy day for retail and service-oriented businesses. Employees need to get to work and employers need a work force they can depend on.”“

Bellone agreed. "This resolution is a step forward to expand bus service while cutting our deficit. Expanding bus service helps take cars off the road and provides opportunity and access for thousands of Suffolk County residents," he said.

Krupski said many businesses on the East End, including those on the North Fork, rely on public transportation to get workers to their jobs, especially during the summer season.

"I strongly support Legislator Schneiderman’s initiative to expand Sunday service,” he said. "It’s an important economic boost for my district and will also help workers get to the jobs they need to be self-sufficient. And it’s a win for all Suffolk County taxpayers by helping cut our general fund deficit.”

A pilot program for Sunday and holiday bus service, which has been widely embraced, has been in effect for the past two summer seasons, running from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

The pilot program was introduced on the S92 and 10C bus routes in eastern Suffolk and was subsidized in part by a 25 cent higher main fare for riders.  

Recently, New York State increased its state transit operating assistance for Suffolk Transit by approximately $2.1 million above the level anticipated in the Suffolk County 2013 budget, giving the county the opportunity to establish Sunday bus service year-round on limited routes.
In a compromise reached with Bellone, Schneiderman agreed to have $1.1 million of the additional state funding dedicated to expanding Sunday bus service, with the additional $1 million going into the county’s general fund; Schneiderman originally proposed dedicating the entire $2.1 million to expanding Sunday bus service.