AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — Kaleida Health is set to close the Millard Fillmore Surgery Center on October 1, a spokesperson confirmed to 7 News.
According to Kaleida, the decision reflects changes in funding and reimbursement, as well as the financial sustainability of the location.
Kaleida said it is committed to ensuring patients have access to the care they need and is working to coordinate a smooth transition. The closure will also impact 32 employees, and it is working to connect them with other opportunities.
You can read the full statement below:
"Millard Fillmore Surgery Center is targeted to close on October 1. This decision, while difficult, reflects changes in funding and reimbursement, financial sustainability of this location, and access to similar services in the community. We are extremely proud of the high-quality care that the center’s staff and physicians have provided over the years.
We remain committed to ensuring patients have access to the care they need and are working to coordinate a smooth transition of care. Human Resources is working closely with the 32 impacted employees to connect them with other opportunities. Physicians who work at the surgery center will continue to perform cases in our hospitals and other outpatient surgery centers.
As always, Kaleida Health remains focused on providing the highest quality, patient-centered care that our community deserves."
This is not the only facility Kaleida plans to close. Just last month, Kaleida announced the planned closure of two therapy clinics as it braces for the impact of federal health care cuts. The Buffalo Therapy Services clinics located on Maple Road in Amherst and at DeGraff Medical Park in North Tonawanda are scheduled to close on November 10.
You can watch our previous story below and read more here.
WATCH: Kaleida Health to close two Buffalo Therapy Services clinics due to federal health care cuts
Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst), released this statement to me:
"In a meeting of the Western New York delegation earlier this week, Kaleida leadership explained that they are closing facilities that provide services that are duplicative of other services available elsewhere in WNY, but that their main concern is the continuity of care for their patients. I understand the need for Kaleida to trim expenses in light of the cuts that are imminent as a result of the Trump tax bill. However, Kaleida must honor their commitment to ensure that patients will be able to access the services they need."
I reached out to lawmakers with WNY ties. Congressman Tim Kennedy released this statement Thursday:
"The closure of the Millard Fillmore Surgery Center is a devastating blow not only to patients who rely on the center but to the entire Western New York healthcare system. Unfortunately, this closure is a sign of what is to come from the passage of Congressional Republicans' and Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Law, which cut over $1 trillion from healthcare programs that patients and hospitals rely on. We are seeing in real time the impacts of this cruel legislation come to fruition. There is still time for Congressional Republicans to step up and cancel the cuts that will continue because of this Big Ugly Law."
However, Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY23) told 7 News in August that this move is not the result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, when asked about the health care system closing its two therapy clinics.
"The idea that anything has changed in the three months that have elapsed is ludicrous and they can make whatever excuses they want," Congressman Nick Langworthy previously told 7 News. "They're making business decisions based on their books today. They have decided those clinics no longer serve their business model and I think it's unfortunate that people have lost their jobs."
