Financially strapped Jackson Health System issued a news release Thursday saying, ``The community can rest assured that Jackson is fully operational, with all the necessary supplies for the most routine procedures to the most complex surgeries.''

The Miami Herald earlier quoted Jackson officials saying that they were running behind on payments to buyers and Johnson & Johnson was threatening to stop sending medical supplies unless it quickly received a $1 million payment.

```We are working with all of our vendors to maintain working relationships in order to continue providing much-needed medical care to all Miami-Dade residents,'' the announcement said. It did not mention where the Johnson & Johnson bill stands.

The release quoted Gerard A. Kaiser, chief medical officer: ``Above all, safe patient care is always our first priority and that has not changed. The people of Miami-Dade County can have faith in the tremendous healthcare provided throughout Jackson Health System.''

On Tuesday, Jackson executives said patients were starting to stay away because of the negative publicity of the system's financial picture.