Local hospitals rated by federal government

The federal government has put out a new, controversial rating system of hospitals. Hospitals across the country are now being rated on a five-star system. The number of stars are said to represent a hospital’s overall rating. Locally, Cayuga Medical Center received three stars, while both United Health Services and Guthrie’s Robert Packer Hospital were given two stars. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton received one star. The rating system is available to search online at www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare.