I’m shocked, shocked I tell you.. < / sarcasm >
I expected as much we demand change and the unions drag US into court and fight it out. We end up losing on both ends. Our tax dollars are used to pay lawyers to defend our position, we have to pay the Judges and court costs and then most likely because of the way the unions have the politicians in their back pocket we lose again. It is a vicious circle that WE end up paying for and the money makers are the unions, politicians and the lawyers.

Unions sue New York hospital closing commission

ALBANY, N.Y. — Three of the state’s biggest public employee unions on Tuesday sued to block the state over the planned restructuring of the health care system announced last year.

In November, the so-called Berger commission recommended closing nine small hospitals and seven nursing homes in New York in a plan billed as one of the most sweeping health care reforms ever proposed by a state.

All 16 facilities would be forced to close by mid-2008 to reduce a statewide glut of hospital beds. Dozens more would be forced to merge, downsize or change the type of care they offer.

A suit filed by the Civil Service Employees Association is challenging the commission’s recommendations for Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, Van Duyn Home and Hospital and Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and Glendale Nursing Home in Schenectady County.

Suits by United University Professions and the Public Employees Federation are challenging the recommendation to privatize SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse by merging it with Crouse Hospital.

The suits were all filed in state Supreme Court.

Health Department spokesman Marc Carey said a total of 12 suits have been filed against the commission, three of which were already dismissed.

“As of January 1, the commission’s recommendations have the force of law,” he said. “The department was given the task of implementing those recommendations and that is what we are doing now.”