KINGSTON – HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley recommended to the state on Monday that it wants to close Kingston Hospital and use Benedictine Hospital in Kingston as a single, full-service nonsectarian community hospital without limitations on reproductive services.

The recommendation went to the state Department of Health and the Office of Mental health.

HealthAlliance Board Chairwoman Cynthia Lowe said state officials are very supportive of the reorganization plan. She said “all parties are aligned in our goal for a financially viable model that preserves quality healthcare in Ulster County.”

The recommendation comes after HealthAlliance announced that it wanted to reduce expenses and improve efficiency while preserving the high quality of care offered to patients.

“Our choice is responsive to the preferences of our physicians and the needs of the community,” said hospital President David Lundquist. “We are working to strengthen our healthcare services and will provide more details as they are confirmed in the coming months.”