NYSNA Update: March 20, 2026
Nurses Speak Out to Save Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Carthage Area Hospital
On Wednesday, March 18, NYSNA nurses from North Star/Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center held a speak-out to protect patient care! Earlier this year, the hospital group that runs both facilities — North Star Health Alliance — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite receiving support from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) in recent weeks, Carthage and Claxton-Hepburn are still facing potential staff and service cuts and closures. Frontline nurses at both facilities know that losing any number of beds would exacerbate the existing patient care crisis in the North Country, and they are taking action to demand that the DOH stabilize funding for their hospitals to maintain access to essential services in their communities! Keep up the great work, Carthage and Claxton-Hepburn nurses! NNY360, WWNYTV and North Country Now covered the speak-out.
Brooklyn Hospital Center Nurses March on the Boss and Win Back Their Health Benefits!
On March 17, NYSNA nurses at The Brooklyn Hospital Center took their demands to restore health coverage directly to CEO Gary Terrinoni’s luxury condo. Nurses had been working for more than 45 days without health insurance after hospital executives failed to pay into their benefit fund. After pressure from nurses and elected officials, the hospital received millions in state funding but only made a partial payment toward restoring benefits. Nurses marched and demanded that hospital executives reinstate their coverage, cover medical expenses incurred in February when their benefits were cut and commit to protect their benefits in the future. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, RN, BSN, CCRN; New York City Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith; New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse; and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined the nurses to speak out.
Almost immediately, hospital executives finalized the payment and paperwork needed to fully restore nurses’ health benefits. Congrats, nurses! But the fight continues to get the hospital to cover past expenses, never let our healthcare coverage lapse again and pay the pension contributions it owes nurses. The Brooklyn Paper, The City, 1010 Wins, ABC 7, NY1 and the New York Amsterdam News covered the action.
St. Joseph’s Medical Center Nurses Speak Out Next Week
Join nurses at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers on Thursday, March 26, at noon for a speak-out to demand safe staffing and real enforcement to protect patients and nurses. Nurses are united for dignity and respect and are demanding that the hospital put patients over profits! RSVP here.