By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council passed a resolution Tuesday that calls on Kaleida Health to release all documents pertaining to moving Children's Hospital.
The resolution, to save Children's Hospital on Bryant Street, calls on Kalieda to provide the Hunter Group report that outlies recommendations on moving Children's from its current location.
The resolution was sponsored by Council President James Pitts. He says Children's is an asset for the city.
"People say it's losing money," he said. "For some things, you can't measure the quality based upon money. I think Children's Hospital should be saved regardless of the cost."
Lovejoy District Council Member Richard Fontana says Kaleida needs to cooperate with the Council. He says it must provide the Hunter study.
"It's up to Kaleida to show us, as the people of the city of Buffalo, why they cannot do that (keep Children's on Bryant)," Fontana said. "Whether it exposes mis-management or not, I think Kaleida should have the onus on them."
Pitts says the city should be involved in all future decisions of Children's.
"We give $50 million to Adelphia. The governor comes in and announces $20 million for all of his friends. Give the money to Children's Hospital," Pitts asserted.
Pitts says the Council wants to make sure the Children's remains opened on Bryant street. The adopted resolution calls for public hearings to be held with representatives from Kaleida and the community. Pitts says he wants that process to begin now.