Garnet Health to shutter Sullivan offices

MIDDLETOWN, NY — Garnet Health noted in a statement that it is facing significant economic issues, driven by influences such as lower patient volumes and the end of provider-relief funding, resulting in lower revenue. Significantly higher expenses including escalating labor costs have affected the hospital’s bottom line, it said, as have declining investment earnings, nationwide supply chain issues and inflation.

The healthcare service provider recently announced changes that would directly affect Garnet Health Doctors. Garnet Health Doctors’ Bethel location will relocate to the Monticello office; the Garnet Health Doctors rheumatology practice will close effective November 9, due to provider attrition. The pediatric practice in Middletown and Monticello will close effective November 9, while all inpatient pediatric services will continue, and the outpatient OB/GYN practices in Middletown and Harris will begin taking measures to close over the next several months, while all inpatient labor and delivery services will continue.

Kinder Morgan donates $10,000 to Pike County fund

MILFORD, PA — Kinder Morgan Inc. recently contributed $10,000 to the Pike County Emergency Services Initiative (PCESI) fund, which is administered through the Greater Pike Community Foundation.

Commissioner Matthew Osterberg said, “We are grateful to Kinder Morgan for this generous donation. The PCESI fund is a worthy cause that is a key component in helping to rectify the EMS crisis in Pike County. We are thankful for their support in this initiative.”

The mission of the PCESI Fund is to provide funding to qualified Pike County emergency services agencies and other nonprofit emergency response organizations, including training programs such as the emergency medical training (EMT) course held at the Pike County Training Center. Since its inception in 2020, the PCESI fund, a press release noted, has saved local emergency services agencies $23,750 in EMT course fees by providing scholarship assistance to local EMT trainees, many of whom have gone on to serve the community.

NY boosts semiconductor manufacturing

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed on August 11 the Green CHIPS legislation (S.9467/ A.10507), aimed at creating jobs, kickstarting economic growth and maintaining important environmental protections, while making New York a hub for semiconductor manufacturing. Green CHIPS will help New York attract chip manufacturers to the state, generating at least $3 billion investment, creating 500 new jobs per project, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions related to chip production, a press release stated.

This new law, the release added, also positions New York State to benefit from the federal CHIPS and Science Act to increase domestic semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The act was signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden earlier in the week.

Pandemic fund to help children with back-to-school expenses

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul on August 11 announced the distribution of $44.4 million in federal pandemic funding to help struggling New Yorkers with children to cover back-to-school and early-life nutritional expenses. Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund will provide New Yorkers on Public Assistance with one-time payments of $214 for each child aged three to 17 and $150 for each child younger than age three in their household.

The payments started on August 12. In total, the agency will distribute approximately $39.3 million, which will provide benefits for roughly 184,000 children.

PA celebrates lower corporate tax rate

YORK, PA — Gov. Tom Wolf was joined on August 8 by business and economic leaders at the York County Economic Alliance to celebrate Pennsylvania’s new, lower corporate net income tax (CNIT) rate. Pennsylvania is officially on a path to a 4.99 percent CNIT rate—half of its current 9.99 percent rate—which will place the commonwealth as the seventh lowest CNIT rate in the nation.

CNIT is a state tax paid by businesses within Pennsylvania on their corporate profits. It is a major piece of states’ business tax climate that contributes to companies’ decisions on where they decide to establish job-creating business operations. By improving the competitiveness of Pennsylvania’s business climate with a lower CNIT rate, a press release stated, Wolf is welcoming businesses to take root or expand their current operations—both of which would lead to new, good paying jobs for Pennsylvanians.

Cartwright issues statement on Delaware Water Gap National Park designation

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Matt Cartwright (PA-08) released the following statement on August 9 regarding the Delaware Water Gap redesignation as a national park:

“My office remains in close contact with local officials and area residents and there has yet to be consensus on the issue. Right now, at least six municipalities in Pennsylvania and 14 in New Jersey are on record opposing the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area’s redesignation as a national park, citing issues related to hunting, fishing, wildlife management, outdoor recreation, property values and eminent domain. We need to take a cautious approach before moving forward and decisions must take place at the local level.”

NY issues statewide pharmacy standing order for naloxone

ALBANY, NY — As overdose deaths from fentanyl, heroin and other opioids mount in a serious public health crisis, New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary Bassett announced a statewide pharmacy standing order for naloxone; it began on August 15.

Naloxone is a medication that can be easily administered to block the effects of opioids allowing a stricken person to regain consciousness and resume normal breathing.

Since 2015, there has been a patchwork of naloxone standing orders in New York State, including those issued by the New York City and Erie County health departments. As the new standing order applies to all pharmacies in New York State, they will not need to apply individually for a standing order to start dispensing naloxone to customers.

Algae bloom cleared out of Lake Superior

BETHEL, NY — A potentially harmful algae bloom at Lake Superior State Park in Bethel has cleared out, and test results from the New York State Department of Health indicate no presence in the swim area. As such, Lake Superior’s swimming and boat rentals features are once again available.