Bellevue Woman's Hospital in Niskayuna, N.Y., which was ordered by a state commission last year to close, will remain open for an undetermined amount of time under the management of Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., officials from both hospitals announced Thursday, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.

Bellevue, a not-for-profit, 50-bed community hospital, is the only hospital in the state that focuses on women's health care (AP/Long Island Newsday, 7/19). The New York state Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century last year recommended that Bellevue be closed. Former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) and the state Legislature formed the commission in 2005 to recommend changes to the state's health care system, which is the most expensive in the country (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 12/8/06). According to the AP/Newsday, the commission recommended closure of nine hospitals, including Bellevue, and eight nursing homes by mid-2008.

Hospital officials said the New York State Department of Health has recommended that Ellis take charge of all Bellevue's services by Nov. 1. Officials from both hospitals said that they aim to have a transition that allows Bellevue staff to continue providing services uninterrupted. Financial, operational and legal agreements related to Ellis' management of Bellevue's operations will be discussed between the health department and the two hospitals, officials said.

"We framed the debate on women's health care, and we were victorious," Bellevue President and CEO Anne Saile said in a written statement, adding, "The essence of Bellevue is here to stay." James Connolly, CEO at Ellis Hospital, said, "We are committed to working with the Department of Health, our colleagues at Bellevue and the medical staffs of both hospitals to ensure that our community continues to have access, without interruption, to all of the services offered at Bellevue" (AP/Long Island Newsday, 7/19).