OGDENSBURG — Bankrupt North Star Health Alliance says the state Department of Health has announced its preference for a partnership with Rochester Regional Health, but it’s not a done deal.

NSHA, which operates Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg and Carthage Area Hospital, announced Thursday RRH would become the strategic partner for a proposed affiliation between the organizations.

But about an hour after the announcement was issued, Tracy E. Jarvis, RRH spokesperson at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, said her institution “did not approve this statement and has not entered into a definitive agreement or binding relationship with North Star.”

Shortly afterwards, Vanessa Fernandes, NSHA System Director of Governance and Executive Affairs, said the original North Star press release “was issued earlier than intended.”

In its original announcement, NSHA officials said  RRH was selected for its "demonstrated commitment to community-based care, operational expertise, and experience supporting healthcare systems serving rural communities."

NSHA recently announced plans to discontinue labor, birthing and nuclear medicine services at Claxton-Hepburn and close primary care clinics in Madrid, Waddington, Hammond and Heuvelton due to financial issues.

Conversations apparently continue between North Star and RRH, however.

“North Star looks forward to continuing discussions with RRH to explore the details of a potential partnership and is prepared to move quickly toward building a strong relationship that supports continued quality healthcare services in the North Country,” said Fernandes.

“We recognize that this release was published before Rochester Regional Health had the opportunity to participate in a coordinated announcement, and we regret that timing. Any future relationship would be subject to appropriate due diligence and governance approvals.”

Said Jarvis,  “RRH continues to participate in discussions with the New York State Department of Health and North Star’s interim leadership as part of an ongoing process, and any future relationship would be subject to appropriate due diligence and RRH governance approvals”

In its original announcement, NSHA said the RRH partnership represented a major milestone in North Star's financial restructuring. Rochester Regional Health was selected for its "demonstrated commitment to community-based care, operational expertise, and experience supporting healthcare systems serving rural communities."

"Selecting the right partner was one of the most important decisions in North Star's recovery," said Andy Manzer, Interim Chief Executive Officer of North Star Health Alliance.

In the meantime, North Star Health Alliance will host a New York State Department of Health-required public hearing on Wednesday, July 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ogdensburg Free Academy Auditorium. Community members, patients, employees, physicians, elected officials and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Hospital leadership will present information on the proposed service changes, the reasons for the recommendations, plans to maintain continuity of care for patients and the anticipated impact on the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments, which will be submitted to the New York State Department of Health as part of its review.

The hearing will also be available remotely via Google Meet at https://meet.google.com/hdk-znis-sji or by phone at 1-678-453-6952 (PIN: 854 373 313#). Written comments may be submitted for one week following the hearing to North Star Health Alliance, Attn: Administration, 214 King Street, Suite C, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, or by email to communityfeedback@nshany.org. Additional information is available by calling 315-713-5564