Add another reason of worry to the Brooks-TLC Hospital System Inc. mix. The north county entity that has been struggling due to years of deficits in a rural health-care battle last week is connected to a struggling health-care system.

Kaleida Health, which has been teaming with Brooks with regard to building a new hospital, received a $25 million grant to help boost its operations. “It’s no secret that our organization, hospitals here in Western New York and across the entire state have been battered by COVID-19,” said Don Boyd, Don Boyd, chief executive officer of Kaleida.

“Gov. (Kathy) Hochul knows and understands our challenges. Her historic multi-year investment in the health care delivery system is proof that she is listening to our collective concerns. The governor’s commitment to organizations like Kaleida Health will help stabilize hospital operations, improve access to care for the community and help us recruit and retain a strong workforce.”

This does nothing to help Brooks-TLC. In fact, it adds one more layer of questions. Is Kaleida, which had losses of $100 million in 2020, a good match for Brooks-TLC? Right now, the answer cannot be yes knowing that Brooks has sustained losses of $45 million in recent years and had to close the Irving facility in 2019.

Westfield Memorial Hospital is in an excellent arrangement with Allegheny Health Network in Pennsylvania. UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown is connected to the powerhouse UPMC system in Pittsburgh.

Dunkirk’s Brooks is in the most vulnerable of positions. Hospital board members need to consider if staying with Kaleida is what’s best for future operations.