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Unions in NY state are suing the state over the planned restructuring of the state’s health care centers and hospitals.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Three of the state’s biggest public employee unions on Tuesday sued to block the state over the planned restructuring of the health care system announced last year.

In November, the so-called Berger commission recommended closing nine small hospitals and seven nursing homes in New York in a plan billed as one of the most sweeping health care reforms ever proposed by a state.

All 16 facilities would be forced to close by mid-2008 to reduce a statewide glut of hospital beds. Dozens more would be forced to merge, downsize or change the type of care they offer.

A suit filed by the Civil Service Employees Association is challenging the commission’s recommendations for Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, Van Duyn Home and Hospital and Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and Glendale Nursing Home in Schenectady County.

Suits by United University Professions and the Public Employees Federation are challenging the recommendation to privatize SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse by merging it with Crouse Hospital.

The suits were all filed in state Supreme Court.

Health Department spokesman Marc Carey said a total of 12 suits have been filed against the commission, three of which were already dismissed.

“As of January 1, the commission’s recommendations have the force of law,” he said. “The department was given the task of implementing those recommendations and that is what we are doing now.”

This is different from the stance these unions had just a month ago when they supported most of these plans. I guess they acted prematurely; I do think it’s too late now for action like this. It’s difficult to see nursing homes closed down and residents moved to other places; even when it make sense financially.