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Westchester Medical Center Refuses Insurance From State Health Exchange

VALHALLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Westchester Medical Center says it cannot accept insurance purchased through the state health exchange in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.

CEO Michael Israel said the reimbursements are too low to cover the costs of the services it offers as a teaching hospital.

The Journal News reported that patients and lawmakers are expressing outrage.

Westchester Medical Center Refuses Insurance From State Health Exchange

"I find it hard to accept that they are not taking any of the plans given their size and the amount of government support they have had over the years," Westchester County Legislator Lyndon Williams, D-Mount Vernon, said at a forum Thursday, according to the newspaper. "It doesn't make sense."

Westchester Medical Center Refuses Insurance From State Health Exchange

Westchester Medical Center used to be a public hospital. After years of red ink, it became a public benefit corporation 15 years ago.

It still uses public land and buildings, and its employees are part of the state pension system.

Montefiore, which has a teaching hospital in the Bronx, is accepting six out of the seven exchange plans available in Westchester County.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is accepting two plans available in Westchester and Rockland.

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