In an editorial, state Senator Angela McKnight (D-31) writes why Hudson County needs a regional health hub, as well as how it could be a viable option with Hudson Regional Health’s Heights University Hospital closing.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
As one of the most diverse and densely populated counties in both New Jersey and the nation, Hudson County deserves a health system that reflects its complexity — one designed not only to meet residents’ needs, but to empower them to lead healthier, fuller lives.
While the county is certainly on the rise, decades of inequity have created a fragmented healthcare landscape that has left too many families struggling to access the integrated and quality care they deserve.
It’s long past time to close these gaps. Since 2022, I have advocated for the establishment of a Regional Health Hub in Hudson County, one proven way to improve health outcomes in our community.
A hub would enable the state to identify unmet needs, provide targeted resources, and give our families a stronger, healthier future.
In 2020, Governor Murphy signed legislation creating Regional Health Hubs — community-based partnerships that replaced Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations in Newark, Trenton, Camden, and Paterson to improve healthcare delivery for vulnerable residents.
These hubs allow nonprofit partners to analyze health data, identify patient needs, and develop new ways to align medical and social services.
They have proven largely successful, connecting communities to critical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing complex health challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction, and have earned recognition from the White House for their innovative model of care.
Current law allows for additional hubs to be designated, and Hudson County would greatly benefit from having one of its own.
Like the communities already served by Regional Health Hubs, we face significant healthcare challenges — but without this additional support, those challenges have been compounded.
Health disparities persist across racial and ethnic groups, with obstacles like financial pressure, language barriers, and housing and transportation struggles contributing to unequal access.
With Heights University Hospital’s closure, a critical resource for underserved populations will be shuttered, increasing the strain on neighboring hospitals.
At the same time, many Medicaid beneficiaries may face significant changes to their coverage in the coming months due to federal action, making coordinated, community-based care more crucial than ever.
A Regional Health Hub in Hudson County would provide us with the tools to identify and address these pressures and build a more resilient system of care.
The creation of a streamlined regional Health Information Exchange (HIE) would enhance health data collection across the community, providing professionals and policymakers with the information necessary to implement data-driven solutions on the ground.
Hospitals, clinics, and community organizations could then mobilize more effectively to address patient needs — whether it’s increasing vaccine outreach in underserved neighborhoods, improving access to food assistance programs for people with disabilities, or finding more reliable transportation for the elderly to attend their doctor’s appointments.
Additionally, establishing a centralized entity to serve as both a regional expert and a state partner would help ensure that healthcare policies are implemented effectively and that state resources are deployed where they are most needed.
Hudson County already has a strong network of community-based agencies that are familiar with the hub model and eager to collaborate.
With the right partners, a Regional Health Hub could transform healthcare delivery in our neighborhoods by reducing the burden on clinics and hospitals and creating a more holistic, community-centered model of care.
Hudson County deserves the same opportunities that have been afforded to other regions of the state, and with this investment, we can empower our residents to be on a path toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
