(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved the sale of the former John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility in Yaphank to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center for $15 million at yesterday’s General Meeting of the Legislature in Hauppauge.
“In addition to yielding $15 million in revenue for the county, the sale of the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility will save Suffolk County taxpayers more than half a million dollars per year in operating costs,” said Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “Furthermore, the Legislature is confident in Brookhaven Memorial Hospital’s ability to provide the much-needed services that Foley did. I commend Legislator Kate Browning and Majority Leader Rob Calarco for their leadership in facilitating this sale. It could not have been done without them.”
“I have always fought to maintain the vital services that the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility provided, and while keeping the County facility open would have been my first preference, I am delighted that my efforts have led to an agreement with Brookhaven Memorial Hospital,” stated Legislator Kate Browning, who sponsored the legislation approving the sale. “I appreciate the support I received from Presiding Officer Gregory throughout the process, and I look forward to bringing back these important services through Brookhaven Hospital, many of which fall within the mission that former Legislator John J. Foley fought so hard to preserve here in Suffolk County.”
“I’m extremely happy to see this sale move forward,” said Majority Leader Calarco. “Not only will a now-vacant facility be returned to productive use, but the community will again have access to the crucial health care services once provided by the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility. Brookhaven Memorial Hospital’s ability to deliver quality health care to Suffolk County residents will honor the vision of Mr. Foley, whose name remains on the building.”
“We are grateful for our legislators’ support and vote to uphold Suffolk County’s Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center on the sale of Foley,” said Brookhaven Memorial President and CEO Richard T. Margulis. “We are extremely pleased and are moving forward with our due diligence in a timely, but responsible, fashion.”
John J. Foley was operated by Suffolk County as a 264-bed skilled nursing facility until it was closed in 2013. In addition to offering services comparable to those that had been provided by John J. Foley, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital intends to expand outpatient services, including hemodialysis, sleep testing, transitional care and primary care, to meet the needs of the surrounding community.
