Bruce Blakeman, the executive of Nassau County, has opted not to nominate anyone for the board of directors of the University of Nassau Medical Center. In an unexpected statement on Tuesday, he expressed his opposition to what he described as Governor Kathy Hochul’s “illegal” takeover.
A Republican, Blakeman was expected to announce his board selection following the resignation of at least ten executives who protested the acquisition of the New York state facility. However, he refused to recognize what he referred to as the Democratic governor’s “Puppet Committee.”
“The state has outright enacted an illegal law to seize the University of Nassau Medical Center, with the primary objective of shutting down the hospital as we know it,” Blakeman stated during a press conference outside the hospital.
He praised NUMC as “one of the best medical facilities in the United States,” firmly opposing any efforts by state authorities to close it.
The state, for its part, has denied any intentions to close hospitals or transform them into facilities focused on mental or behavioral health.
Nevertheless, a letter from the state Department of Health, dated 2024 and acquired by the Post Office, indicated that the financial viability of hospitals could only be achieved by reducing staff and consolidating multiple departments while shifting towards behavioral health services. This letter bore Hochul’s signature.
Blakeman criticized both Hochul and state officials, attributing the financial troubles to their actions.
“The state took control of this hospital and then manipulated the situation to claim a financial crisis,” Blakeman remarked.
In a separate matter, former NUMC president Matthew Bruderman has initiated a lawsuit alleging systemic financial misconduct by the hospital, which has led to a federal investigation.
“Right now, without a transition plan or any adjustments, we are seizing control. Let’s not kid ourselves—this is merely a cover-up,” Blakeman said, referencing the ongoing allegations.
