§ 3601. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature hereby finds and declares as follows:

1. Currently, the Clifton-Fine Hospital is a public hospital owned and operated by the town of Clifton and the town of Fine.

2. The needs of the residents of the state of New York and of the towns of Clifton and Fine in St. Lawrence County can best be served by the operation of the Clifton-Fine Hospital by a public benefit corporation having the legal, financial and managerial flexibility to take full advantage of opportunities and challenges presented by the evolving health care environment.

3. In order to accomplish the purposes recited in this section to provide health care services and health facilities for the benefit of the residents of the state of New York and the towns of Clifton and Fine including persons in need of health care services without the ability to pay as required by law, a public benefit corporation to be known as the Clifton-Fine health care corporation shall be created to provide such services and facilities and to otherwise carry out such purposes; that the creation and operation of the Clifton-Fine health care corporation, as hereinafter provided, is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state of New York and of the towns of Clifton and Fine and is a state, municipal and public purpose; and that the exercise by such corporation of the functions, powers and duties as hereinafter provided constitutes the performance of an essential public and governmental function.