KINGSTON – Several upstate legislators from both parties Sunday released a statement stating “grave concern” about Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to identify excess medical equipment throughout the state and move it where it is most needed.
A press release from US Representative Antonio Delgado, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, NYS Senators George Amedore, Jen Metzger, Sue Serino, and Assemblymembers Kevin Cahill and Chris Tague said:
“We are aware of plans to shift ventilators from our upstate communities and are gravely concerned. Health care access in rural communities has long been under strain, and we know the apex of cases in upstate is around the corner. We stand ready to help our fellow New Yorkers, but moving needed ventilators from our region now would be devastating and counter intuitive to all data on the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to work together to do everything in our power to make sure folks in our region have every single thing they need to get through this health crisis.”
Earlier Sunday, Cuomo had addressed himself to upstate objections, explaining that supplies would follow the peak of the virus, wherever it led.
“We will not lose a life because we didn't share resources,” he said.
Sharing, he continued, “is in your own self-interest.”
