Davis, LD-31 lawmakers, meet with DOH to discuss future of Bayonne Medical Center

Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, along with the lawmakers from the 31st Legislative District, met with New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli to discuss the future of the local medical center.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

During the 90 minute meeting, which was also attended by several key DOH officials, Davis stressed that losing an acute care hospital in Bayonne would deprive residents of vital healthcare services.

“Commissioner Persichilli understands the urgency of this situation and several unique factors that make saving our hospital absolutely critical,” Davis said in a statement.

“She is aware we will do everything in our power to keep Bayonne Medical Center open and that this fight is only just beginning.”

Davis emphasized that Bayonne is a peninsula city and reaching Jersey City Medical Center, the next closest hospital, could take up to an hour when traffic is heavy.

The mayor added that Bayonne is experiencing a significant economic revitalization and the city’s population is rapidly growing, with 6,500 new housing units already planned or under construction.

Davis also pointed out that Bayonne has a large number of senior residents who would be particularly impacted by the loss of the city’s only full service hospital.

“We appreciate Commissioner Persichilli for taking the time to meet with us,” added Assemblyman Nick Chiaravalloti (D-31).

“It’s very clear that she shares our concern for the healthcare needs of our city and county. We are confident the Department of Health is monitoring this situation very closely.”

State Senator Sandra Cunningham, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and other NJ DOH employees also attended the meeting.

Officials gathered on the lawn of the Bayonne Medical Center on Monday to announce they would fight any plan that leads to the closure of the hospital, with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health announcing the next day that they would be purchasing CarePoint Health’s other two facilities: Christ Hospital and the Hoboken University Medical Center.

The future of the BMC remains unclear, with CarePoint announcing they are currently “seeking a strategic partner” for the hospital.