(10/17/06) EAST MEADOW ? Nassau?s only public hospital has been financially ailing for years, but county and health officials unveiled a plan Tuesday to revive NUMC.

County Executive Thomas Suozzi (D-Nassau) and the Nassau Health Care Corporation announced the $240 million proposal that calls for several upgrades. For an institution that resorted to massive layoffs not long ago, it is now budgeting for new emergency room equipment, physical improvements to the medical buildings, construction of a new nursing home in Uniondale and the reorganization of unused space in existing facilities.

Nassau Health Care Corporation has scheduled a vote for October 23. The County Legislature must also vote to grant Nassau?s part of the funding, but no date has been set for legislative approval.