Story and photos
by Vincent Kurzrock

LOCH SHELDRAKE — Rural healthcare was the topic of talk Monday night as NY-19 Congressman Josh Riley held a Rural Healthcare Town Hall at SUNY Sullivan’s Paul Gerry Fieldhouse.

The event started with SUNY Sullivan’s Dr. Sean Wall-Carty setting the tone for the evening to open up the panel calling for everyone to be civil, and maintaining an environment where everyone is safe and can be heard.

Riley opened the event noting the regions’ shortage of medical providers.

“Where the rest of New York has about sixteen primary care physicians per 20,000, here in Sullivan County it’s only five,” he said. “When it comes to pediatrics, it’s [an] even worse ratio.”

He stated his belief that strengthening healthcare access should remain a top priority, stating that it is “a basic right for families who need reliable and affordable care.”

Seated beside Riley were four panelists representing healthcare, hospital management and county shortages. They discussed how those shortages are affecting everyday life.

One of the speakers, Jaylynn Garelick, a licensed practical nurse with the Bassett Healthcare Network, asked the audience to raise their hands if they knew someone or themselves who, in the past six months, had an issue with establishing a primary care provider. Some did raise their hands.

“It’s a multifaceted issue,” Garelick noted, citing staffing, transportation, and funding as ongoing issues. She also believed that a more personal issue is those facing the issues think they’re alone.

Dr. William Fredette, co-director of the Bassett School-Based Health Program, explained that many rural hospitals operate with narrow budgets. 

“The place that really gets cut the most are the hospitals, because hospitals have to take care of anyone who can make it to our door,” said Fredette.

Laura Quigley, Commissioner of Community Resources for Sullivan County, talked of how non-medical issues affect health outcomes. 

“We know it’s not enough,” she said of the Office for the Aging’s Transportation Program. “We provided about 1,600 rides last year, but the need is out there more.”

She said of how they added three more fixed routes this year and are doing a five-year plan to see what adding more routes can look like.

“It doesn’t solve all the problems, but it helps people get where they need to be,” she said.

Garelick, told of the workload faced by caregivers. 

“My patient ratio is twenty-four to one,” she said. “Healthcare workers sacrifice our time, our minds, and our bodies to care for our neighbors.”

She added that some barriers prevent people from accessing education to become a healthcare worker. “The heart and passion is 

there,” she said.

Riley takes audience

 questions

Following the panel discussion, Riley opened the floor for audience questions which were both asked in person and submitted online.

One of the submitted questions asked why Congress “couldn’t do its job” and keep the government open, referring to the current shutdown. Riley responded that the issue was frustrating, betting that, “if [we] walked out on the street here in Sullivan County and took 10 to 15 people off the street, regardless of their political party, they could solve the challenges Washington politicians are having right now.”

Another attendee who was present, Kathleen from Walton, worried about local hospitals staying open.

“How can we be assured that our small rural hospital in Callicoon, Garnet Health, stays open? My husband and I used it quite a bit,” stated Kathleen. “Every time I go there, I go ‘ Jesus, God, keep this place open’.”

She told Riley of how she reads the Democrat twice a week. She wondered if that [the closure] was going to be Tuesday’s news or Friday’s news.

“We need to know that ... those well-functioning, wonderful hospitals have real support here,” she said.

Acknowledging Kathleen’s worries, Riley responded that he’s working with rural and community hospitals to get funding directed to them through his Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund.

Other submitted questions focused on international affairs. For example, one question asked about the conflict in Gaza to which Riley responded that the war “has to stop.”

“We need a cease-fire, and it has to end now. We have to get the hostages out and humanitarian assistance in [to Gaza] and we’ve got to get a way where folks can live in peaceful security,” stated Riley.

As the discussion shifted to food aid, Riley referenced a bipartisan measure he aided in introducing: the Local Farmers Feeding Communities Act, which aimed at reinstating $200 million for schools and food banks to purchase produce from local farms. 

“That sort of work doesn’t make cable news headlines,” Riley noted, “but that’s the hard work we have to do: rolling up our sleeves, reaching across the aisle and finding solutions to mitigate against this damage.” His response generated applause from audience members.

Regarding immigration, Riley stated that law enforcement and federal policies ought to collaborate to ensure safety while also backing local agriculture. 

“Law enforcement, no matter who you are, should not be wearing masks,” Riley stated, again garnering long applause from the audience. “What we see is the local law enforcement here and in upstate New York: not only are they not behind masks, they’re out in the community building relationships.” He noted that many dairy farms depend on undocumented workers who have limited options to earn legal status and said updated visa laws could help both employers and workers.

When questioned about reproductive health policy, Riley reaffirmed his backing for federal safeguards that allow individuals to make personal medical choices with their physicians.

A question regarding increasing utility expenses sparked a conversation about energy affordability. Riley stated that elevated rates are impacting families throughout northern communities.

“I’ve got to talk to so many folks who are making really difficult decisions about whether to pay the utility bill or pay for groceries,” noted Riley.

The final question was from Michael of Wurtsboro regarding the potential shutdown of Exit 114 related to the Route 17-to-I-86 project. 

Riley mentioned he has communicated with the state Department of Transportation regarding the matter. 

“This isn’t just an exit on the map,” stated Riley. “There’s a Harley dealer and a Crystal shop [Crystal Connection] ... on Main Street. Almost all of them [business owners who I talked to] said they would lose 60-70% of their business because they’re getting a whole lot of traffic coming from Exit 114 off Route 17.”