Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino called Wednesday for the resignation of state Health Commissioner Nirav Shah, accusing him of failure to inspect abortion clinics and delaying a decision on hydrofracking in New York.
“First do no harm,” said Astorino, a Republican who is running for governor, in a video on his website. “It”™s the basic tenet of medicine and health care. But here in New York harm is being done in two areas directly involving the state Department of Health.”
Astorino said the commissioner ignored his responsibility to inspect abortion clinics. According to recent news reports, as many as 200 clinics haven’t been inspected during his tenure, some for as long as 13 years.
“Regardless of feelings on abortions, these clinics must be safe and clean for women receiving care there,” Astorino said. “Yet the state health department has completely ignored its responsibility to do that.”
Astorino also partially blamed Shah for delayed action on hydrofracking for natural gas in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo hasn’t taken a stance on fracking and its health effects, saying he will wait for the results of Shah’s review. Astorino accused Cuomo and Shah of delaying action on the contentious issue during an election season.
“Isn”™t the state health commissioner supposed to be New York’s chief medical officer, not a political foil for Gov. Coumo?” Astorino said.
If Shah refuses to resign, Astorino said he would call on Cuomo to replace him.
