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AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, March 9, 2023
Otsego County EMS Reaches Crossroads
Bassett Chief Looks to Future
Part II: Recent Reports
Jeff Joyner Leaving; Changes on Horizon
By TED MEBUST OTSEGO COUNTY he New York State Emergency Medical Services Council’s “2023 EMS Agenda for Future,” released last month, inspected challenges involved in supplying EMS delivery by creating topicspecific subgroups to study agencies, education, government, support, operations, hospitals and staffing. The Center for Public Safety Management’s recent “EMS Services Delivery Report” did the same by analyzing data from the computer-aided dispatch system at Otsego County’ Emergency 911 center. Among the many challenges examined by these studies, the two main issues identified—which are not isolated to New York State—are the existing systems of funding and changing communities. Funding EMS services in Otsego County, as of right now, is accomplished by aid from the New York State legislature, the County Board of Representatives and ambulance transport fees. Though the burden looms largely on taxpayers, programs like
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INSIDE ► COUNTY REPS OPPOSE Article VII PART N TO PRESERVE HOME RULE, page 3 ► TO BE OR NOT TO BE...DEBATE CONTINUES ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, page 4 ► foxcare fitness member voices concern over closure, letter to the editor, page 4 ► GREATER BENEFITS FOR PATIENTS AND LOVED ONES when Hospice help starts sooner, page 5 ► full page of locals: people & businesses in the news, page 6 Follow Breaking News On
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Medicare and Medicaid, and with independent commercial insurers, ensure the costs are covered by applying prices indexed on the level of care provided. However, agencies within Otsego County provide services without any knowledge of their patients’ coverage or ability to pay. Additionally, there’s little consistency among agencies in applying service fees to patients. Therefore, as the CPSM report noted, “inadequate reimbursement from government and insurers for services provided” poses a major threat to existing agencies. As the American Rescue Plan Act aid wanes, the Otsego County Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee relies heavily on the CPSM report for options to maintain the county ambulatory service. Along with his analysis and 12 major recommendations on how to improve the service, project leader Matt Zavadsky proposed multiple courses of action for revenue streams, including possible contracts with area hospitals and developing community partnerships. As it now stands—taking into Continued on page 9
By DARLA M. YOUNGS COOPERSTOWN ebruary rumors of a “big shakeup” on the horizon for Bassett Healthcare Network appeared to have been realized last week when information surfaced indicating that Jeff Joyner, senior vice president and chief hospital executive of A.O. Fox Hospital, would be leaving and some clinics would be closed. Bassett President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tommy Ibrahim addressed these reports on Tuesday, March 6 at his Cooperstown office. “Jeff Joyner has resigned to pursue other opportunities. He will be here for another three months,” said Ibrahim. No details have been released as yet regarding plans to replace Joyner. A.O. Fox Hospital is part of the Bassett Healthcare Network, along with Bassett Medical Center (formerly The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital), Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. Attributing a scarcity of human resources, Ibrahim also confirmed that Bassett would be consolidating two women’s healthcare facilities in Oneonta and two primary care practices within the network. Some personnel are being relocated, he said, but there will be no layoffs as a result of the changes, and services will be relatively uninterrupted. According to the American College of Healthcare Executives’ annual survey, workforce challenges ranked number one on the list of hospital CEO’s top concerns in 2022. Financial challenges ranked second in the 2022 survey. Continued on page 8
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Majestic Mountain Dog ONEONTA—Meet Daisy. She is a 6-month-old Bernese mountain dog and new to Oneonta. According to mom Madison Rivera,“She’s been loving the snow and is the sweetest pup!” We invite you to send pictures of your furry, feathered or finned friends to darlay@ allotsego.com. Every week, we’ll select at least one photograph to be highlighted in the newspapers and, later this week, we’ll be launching our new online “Furever Friends and Purrfect Pets” photo gallery, in honor of the important role animals play in our lives.
Butternut Valley Alliance Joins Otsego Outdoors Collaborative By DARLA M. YOUNGS OTSEGO COUNTY aving recently welcomed the Butternut Valley Alliance to its ranks, the Otsego Outdoors program has now grown from a trio of partner organizations to a quartet. Otsego Outdoors, known for its seasonal Otsego Octet Challenges, connects county residents and visitors with year-round recreational opportunities. The collaborative program was begun in May of 2017 by Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust and the Otsego County Conservation Association. “BVA is thrilled to join Otsego Outdoors as a partner organization,” said Executive
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Director Michele Farwell. “It has been great working with the program informally over the past few years and we are excited to strengthen our collaboration. It’s an ideal way for us to bring attention to the Butternut Valley’s outdoor offerings.” According to Farwell, the Butternut Valley is home to five state forests and parks with wonderful walking trails for short day hikes and outings. Working with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the BVA recently agreed to be voluntary stewards for three state forests in the valley—Texas School House State Forest, Wagner Farm State Forest and General Jacob Morris State Forest, Farwell said.
“We are happy to formalize our partnership with the Butternut Valley Alliance,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, which manages Otsego Outdoors. “They are wonderful environmental and community advocates in western Otsego County. With four nonprofit organizations working together on this important program, we Photo by Graham Stroh will be able to reach more people and further enhance “On the Trail of Art” is one of several annual events hosted by the recreational opportunities Butternut Valley Alliance. and quality of life here in both of which Farwell said continued. are great ways to explore the “On the Trail of Art 2023” Otsego County.” will take place June 10 and In past years, Otsego valley, by boat or by bike. “And this year will be 11 at General Jacob Morris Outdoors has helped the BVA promote its annual BVA’s third year of hosting State Forest in Morris. Otsego Outdoors promotes “Butternut Creek Fun Float” ‘On the Trail of Art,’ a in Gilbertsville and the weekend long art exhibit publicly accessible trails, bike “Butternut Valley Gravel displayed along a forest routes, and waterways in and Continued on page 9 Grinder” in New Lisbon, walking trail,” Farwell
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD