A new pitch for the Foley nursing home ...

 As lawmakers prepared to vote Tuesday on the controversial sale of Suffolk's nursing home, a bipartisan proposal surfaced to create a public benefit corporation to run the 264-bed Yaphank complex.

State Sen. Brian Foley (D-Blue Point) and Legis. John M. Kennedy (R-Nesconset) disclosed plans Monday to file a state bill authorizing the new agency - the Suffolk County Health Corp. - to take over the nursing home. The lawmakers also are exploring having the proposed agency take over Suffolk's 10 health centers, as well as drug and mental health clinics.

"This is an effort to preserve a critical public asset . . . in a lean, efficient and cost-effective manner," Kennedy said.

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