May 7, 2026 4. Health, Human Services & Human Rights Committee

The Ulster County Legislature's Health, Human Services & Human Rights Committee met on May 7, 2026, to discuss several community health and social service issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the closure and future of the Ruane House cancer support program. Presenters from the Save the Ruane House Advocacy Group and HealthAlliance Hospital discussed the program's history, community impact, and plans to transition oncology support services to a new medical village facility. The hospital representatives emphasized ongoing investment and redesign efforts to create a centralized, patient-focused oncology support hub, while some legislators expressed concerns about losing the unique community-driven model and the home-like environment of the original house. The committee passed a resolution supporting the Ruane House and encouraging continued dialogue with the hospital. Additionally, the committee approved budget amendments to create two new positions in the Office of the Aging related to congregate meal site management and approved the transfer of meal service contracts to Rockland Kitchen. Other agenda items included tobacco sales regulation amendments to strengthen age verification enforcement, confirmation of various board appointments, authorization of social services contracts for youth residential treatment facilities, and discussion of the Veterans Reintegration Center closure due to facility damage with plans to find new space. The meeting also addressed the temporary pause of a popular public health testing program and plans for future updates.