Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon, a candidate for mayor, and Hoboken 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, another mayoral hopeful, are demanding answers on the financial woes at Heights University Hospital.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Solomon called the planned suspension of non-essential services in the next 30 days “outrageous and unacceptable” before blasting everyone involved with managing the hospital in the past 10 years.
“Let’s be clear: this situation is the result of a decade of vulture capitalism. The intentional mismanagement of the hospital enabled multi-millionaires to line their pockets and siphon MILLIONS in donations to politicians through Super PACs- all while the quality of healthcare and the hospital’s financial standing deteriorated,” he exclaimed in a statement.
” … This is the exact type of insider dealing and corrupt politics that my campaign for mayor is hellbent on rooting out. All of the players responsible for this catastrophe – the Mayor, Governor and HRH – must immediately develop a plan to ensure the financial well-being of Christ without threatening the community.”
He concluded that if elected mayor, keeping Heights University Hospital open will be a top priority.
HRH, formerly Hudson Regional Hospital, acquired the three hospitals owned by CarePoint Health in April after the hospital chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as HCV first reported.
They have announced the rebrand of all their hospitals in June, cutting the ribbon on the Bayonne University Hospital a week-and-half ago.
“Today I was shocked to learn that Hudson Regional Health plans to wind down nonessential services at Heights University Hospital, formerly Christ Hospital. While the hospital is located in Jersey City, it employs many of our residents and plays a vital role in the broader healthcare system that serves Hoboken. It is paramount we protect the health and well-being of our community,” noted Russo.
“As a healthcare provider by trade, Councilman, former member of the Hoboken Hospital Authority, and proud supporter of our union brothers and sisters, I urge HRH executives to convene a meeting with representatives of 1199J, JNESO, and CIR SEIU, along with leaders from both Hoboken and Jersey City. We must work with HRH to prevent a regional health crisis and save jobs. Our community deserves better.”
He also said he was committed to ensure the Hoboken University Hospital, formerly the Hoboken University Medical Center, does not suffer the same fate as a potential 10-story development may be considered in the immediate area on Willow Avenue.
Shortly after HRH announced the expected service cuts, Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) President Debbie White said that they assured the bankruptcy court that they had the means to take over the CarePoint facilities.
However, they are now reneging on that commitment and threatening workers with layoff notices.
Didn’t Russo say he already working with a developer to tear down the Hoboken Hospital and build high rise luxury condos?