MASSENA -- Assemblywoman Addie Russell says she supports the Town Council’s decision to seek more information on the public benefit corporation route for Massena Memorial Hospital.

Her comments come a day after the town board decided to learn more about that avenue, having voted in December to allow MMH to pursue private, non-profit status.

Russell, D-Theresa, said Thursday that she is “more than willing to sit down with representatives of the Massena Town Board and Massena Memorial Hospital to further discuss and explore the merits of transitioning the health care facility from a municipal hospital to a public benefits corporation.”

“I believe the public benefits corporation designation has merit and deserves further exploration,” Russell said. “I think it has the potential to help the hospital become even stronger while offering protections to the employees - from the physicians and nurses to the billing clerks and maintenance workers - who have worked tirelessly over the years to keep the hospital’s doors open during challenging times and provided quality healthcare to their friends and neighbors from the north country and beyond.”

Russell says she thinks it makes sense for the town and hospital boards to look at all options.

“I understand the changing nature of health care in the state and country so we want to make sure the final decision is the right one for Massena Memorial Hospital, the people it serves and the town of Massena. The best decisions come when all the facts are on the table,” she said.