ALBION, N.Y. — The "Low Volume Hospital Program" is what Senator Schumer spoke about. It's a federal Medicare program that provides subsidies to small rural hospitals and health care facilities, like the Orleans Community Health Facility.

The legislation expired at the end of September after it got caught up in what Schumer calls "partisan bickering." That means big losses for small hospitals; as much as three-quarters of a million dollars in next year's budget at the Wyoming County Hospital, for example.

There is still time to save the legislation, though. Health care officials and Senator Schumer say the time to save it, is now.

"The loss of the low-volume adjustment to us ranges from $350,000 to $600,000 a year, which in a hospital our size is very significant," said Amy Pollard, CEO of Noyes Hospital in Dansville. "It probably amounts to about 15 to 20 employees if we had to delete that money from our budget and translate it into people."

"You've been there when we've needed you. I've seen the dedication: three in the morning, people will rush in if there's a special problem that occurs, and since you've been there when we've needed you, we're going to be there when you need us," said Schumer, (D).

The bill has bipartisan support. Schumer expects it to pass.

We also got a look at the new Orleans County Community Health Facility. It's a 1.7-million, 7,500 square foot care center. Construction was completed earlier this year.

It's not quite an urgent care center, but there are hopes that it will be outfitted and headed in that direction in the next few years.

Right now, general practitioners, doctors and therapists are available here to serve the greater Orleans County community.