(AP) - The chairman of the state Senate's Health Committee says he'll hold hearings on issues raised by the case of a Long Island doctor whose injection techniques may have spreadhepatitis.

State Senator Kemp Hannon is planning a news conference today todetail his plans for the hearings.

The state Health Department says Doctor Harvey Finkelsteinsometimes used syringes multiple times on the same patient --possibly contaminating vials of medications when the syringes werereinserted into the vials. Health officials say the practice causedat least two patients to be infected with hepatitis C. It's apotentially fatal liver disease.

Finkelstein says he has since improved his efforts to controlinfections.

Local officials are criticizing state authorities for notnotifying patients sooner after becoming aware of the problem in2005. State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has said his agencyworked "as quickly as possible."

For footage from Sen. Hannon's press conference, go to iO Extra on channel 612.