Media Advisory: Madison County Workers to Rally Against Selling off Public Health Services

WAMPSVILLE, NY (11/08/2010)(readMedia)-- Madison County workers, and their union, CSEA, will be holding an Information Rally during the Board of Supervisors meeting to highlight the need for Madison County to retain its own Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA).

In September, a county-convened Task Force was requesting more time to develop cost-saving alternatives to selling off the CHHA, but County Manager Paul Miller demanded that they immediately put out a Request For Proposals to seek a private contractor for home health services. The CSEA representatives resigned from the Task Force at their next meeting, saying that they could not be a party to contracting out Madison County jobs. They also cited that even with the losses incurred by

the current CHHA management, it cost county residents less than a penny a day to maintain the CHHA, and once sold off could not be regained by Madison County.

"Management needs to be held accountable in this situation," said Russell Stewart, CSEA White Collar President, "They need to explain how they lost close to $400,000.00 in one year."

Madison County workers will rally outside the Madison County Office Building on North Court Street in Wampsville on Monday, Nov. 8 from noon to 1 p.m.

Madison county workers say they are concerned that if privatized, some county residents, particularly in the outlaying areas, may not receive services, which would end up costing taxpayers more if they instead go to the emergency room, or into a nursing home.

"I am certain that there is not a private provider that is capable of delivering a more cost effective, efficient, compassionate or professional service to the residents of Madison County than our own Madison County work force," said CSEA Madison County Local 827 President Jeffrey Colburn.

Colburn said CSEA believes there should be a public hearing to fully review the impact of the proposed privatization, before the bidding process is completed.

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