MAYOR BROWN CITES JOB TRAINING FOLLOWING BERGER REPORT

BUFFALO – Mayor Byron W. Brown today convened a press conference to reiterate his position that the implementation of the recommendations of the New York State Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21^st Century, otherwise known as the Berger Commission, must include a well-funded job training/job creation component and that the condition of health care service delivery in Buffalo must be strengthened, not weakened.

 

“I corresponded last week with Governor-elect Eliot Spitzer on this issue to articulate to the Governor-elect the concerns held by me and the heads of the region’s top health care systems prior to the release of the Berger Commission Report,” said Mayor Brown. “Now that the Report has been issued I must address the potential impact of job loss in the health care industry in Buffalo.”

 

The Mayor stated that the purpose of that correspondence was to acknowledge that our health care system must be improved, but that care must also be taken to protect the vital interests of Buffalo and Western New York, including

 

Mayor Brown noted that since taking office, the Administration’s top priority has been economic development and job creation. That priority remains at the top of the Administration’s agenda and, clearly, job creation, not job loss, is an essential component of that agenda. 

 

“Following the Berger Commission’s 17 months of work, it makes every bit of sense that the ensuing planning process for implementing these recommendations will be just as thorough and detailed,” said Mayor Brown. “It is clear we need to be more competitive by being excellent, which will improve health care delivery and could result in more jobs in the future. These are points I conveyed to Governor-elect Spitzer in my November 22^nd letter and repeat them today to emphasize that the outcome of the implementation of the recommendations of the Berger Commission must strengthen, not weaken both the health care industry in our community and not damage our city’s economy.

And as important, we cannot have any further loss of health care services to people who are medically underserved.”

 

Mayor Brown concluded by stating that if the recommendations of the Berger Commission can ultimately strengthen health care service delivery, create new job opportunities and bring a new era of excellence in Buffalo’s health care industry, then the work of the Commission will have been a great service to our community.

 

If, however, those goals cannot be achieved, it will fall to elected leaders of our state to determine the best course of action to achieve those goals.