They also want more resources for drug treatment clinics, since many upstate counties do not have them.

By itself, that provision would improve the public health in a few upstate counties.

I got a little hunting place in an upstate county.

On a home with a new $600,000 mortgage, in some upstate counties the tax paid by the borrower would be $2,975.

Clinton County itself was partitioned to form other upstate counties.

"The upstate counties don't have a whole lot of medical expertise," he said.

Money has poured into upstate counties at a rate of about $100 million a year.

The changes are bitterly opposed by the affected communities in eight upstate counties.

A second report on the state's six other public administrators, in suburban and upstate counties, will be issued later, they said.

New York City and four upstate counties were the first to be allowed the coverage.