FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2015
Contact:  Scott Salotto (845) 638-5645

STATEMENT OF ROCKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE ED DAY ON THE CLOSURE OF SUMMIT PARK HOSPITAL & NURSING CARE CENTER

We made the ultimate decision today to close Summit Park Hospital & Nursing Care Center because (1) the former buyer made no real, substantial guarantees to the LDC that he could purchase and safely operate the facility before the end of this year;  (2) the former buyer has not made attempts to hire existing employees; (3) the former buyer has never shown nor documented that he has access to the $32 million needed to purchase the facility.  Armed with these facts, and the state's regulatory requirements that force us to choose between closure and the substantial risk posed by Sympaticare's pattern of unreliable behavior, the County will move forward with its closure plan.  We will not risk the welfare of the Summit Park residents and the financial stability of the County on vague promises and gambles that Mr. Braunstein can purchase or legally operate the facility before December 31, 2015.