Nassau University Medical Center, abortion debate
A reader calls Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow a financial boondoggle. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
NUMC, a sinking ship, might capsize
Nassau University Medical Center is a financial boondoggle created by former Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta and Bruce Blakeman, then presiding officer of the county Legislature [“Can NUMC close? Ad blitz says so,” News, Feb. 9].
When the county was hemorrhaging money, Nassau County Medical Center, long a patronage mill and source of lucrative contracts for GOP donors, was presented with financial strategies to remove it from the county budget and create a public benefit corporation, NUMC.
The hospital’s financial situation didn’t miraculously improve overnight, but more than $100 million in bonds were issued to finance the hospital and remove it from the county budget. To attract investors, the bonds are guaranteed by Nassau County taxpayers in case of default.
Also, Blakeman, the current county executive, appointed Matthew Bruderman as chairman of NUMC and the Nassau Health Care Corp. board. What credentials or applicable experience does Bruderman have to oversee this failing institution as he continues the stewardship of a sinking ship?
Asking state taxpayers to finance this blunder is an insult to every taxpayer. Maybe the county executive and the county legislature need to step up, accept responsibility, and step away.
— Michael J. Vicchiarelli, Eastport
Don’t exclude dads from abortion talk
Natural fathers, not the unborn, have been excluded from the abortion debate “Excluding unborn from abortion debate,” Opinion, Feb. 3]. Even before Roe v. Wade, the father’s interest has not been considered necessary in abortion litigation.
The unborn exist because adults unite under circumstances that make pregnancy foreseeable. Humanity exists because there is a “contract” formed by most unions.
No civilized society should allow a medical abortion of a healthy fetus without the father’s consent. Even if only a small percentage of men take responsibility, the recognition of paternal rights would encourage adults to be more respectful of each other’s intentions before unprotected sex occurs.
— Eugene Devany, Massapequa Park
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