The Jersey City Council approved a measure on second reading to restrict development near Heights University Hospital about a month after Hudson Regional Health announced the facility would be closing.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“This is tragic … This land should never be sold to developers to build condos,” activist Edward Perkins declared during public comment on the ordinance.
Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) President Debbie White indicated that hospital staff have collected more than 1,000 signatures for a petition condemning HRH’s actions.
The union had alleged improper layoffs prior to the closure announcement, which they said was done in violation of New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) rules.
“The employer did this unilaterally and illegally without the permission of the [state] Department of Health. They did this in violation of contract language … We are challenging this on many fronts,” White exclaimed.
She added that there is a great need for dialysis, mental health, and addiction treatment units in the hospital, as well as that emergency room patients have had to be transferred out.
“Don’t let Christ Hospital simply become high-priced condos … Force them to keep this as an acute care hospital,” she declared to applause.
In late October, Ward E Councilman James Solomon, now the mayor-elect, held a press conference blowing the whistle on a 10-story, 2,200-unit proposal on the hospital land, which he said would “demolish” the healthcare facility, as HCV first reported.
“Access to healthcare … has been greatly compromised due to the crisis created by Hudson Regional Hospital … HRH was faced with patients needing more than an emergency room,” HPAE Local 5186 President Rebecca Lowe said.
She further stated that the hospital is severely understaffed and currently operating at the bare minimum level, which is hurting patient care.
Appleseed Public Interest Law Center Executive Director Renee Steinhagen said she represented a group fighting to save Christ Hospital back in 2012, noting that the land is owned by Avery Eisenreich, not the hospital, which created issues down the line.
“I understand Barnabas hospital was willing to come in until the land owner made sure that didn’t happen,” Steinhagen noted.
“We can turn our back on the developer, but not on them,” Councilman at-Large-elect Michael Griffin added in favor of the ordinance during his remarks.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member Liam Paiva-Acosta suggested they should utilize eminent domain to keep the hospital open.
“Keep the blood of thousands of constituents off your hands,” he asserted.
Additionally, activist Esther Wintner wanted Solomon to ask the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to investigate the matter once he is sworn in next month.
“This body has the duty to ensure proper health services to the residents of Jersey City,” Solomon said as the ordinance co-sponsor, with Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano being the other..
The downtown councilman noted they can address the planning board’s concern about Master Plan consistency by explaining their desire to preserve the district, which drew applause from the audience.
Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley said the city is “definitely going in the wrong direction” when it comes to local hospitals being available before voting yes.
“This hospital saved my life shortly after 9/11 …I think it’s a damned disgraced this hospital is closing! “ … I want the name to go back to Christ Hospital!” Boggiano exclaimed to applause.
Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh noted that he is a member of the hospital board and therefore had to abstain.
“The hospital component can’t be ancillary to development. It has to be the primary reason for that site … We might have to take it over,” he suggested.
Prior to voting aye, Solomon claimed that the reduction in services has already had “horrific consequences” and the time to take action is already long overdue.
“I am fully committed to doing everything in my power to return acute care to the site of Christ Hospital and do everything in my power to force both the state and the current owners to uh take better action,” Solomon explained.
“ … We got here over multiple years and multiple owners putting greed and money before people …That has to stop. That greed was left unchecked and is a stain on the city.”
Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore reiterated that time was of the essence to save patients with dire health conditions, which is why more hospitals are needed.
“I was born in that hospital. My mom died in that hospital. That community does not need unaffordable housing,” exclaimed Councilwoman at-Large Amy DeGise before voting aye.
The ordinance passed 8-0(1), with Saleh abstaining, to applause.
“We applaud the City Council in Jersey City on approving Ordinance 25-124 to maintain Christ Hospital’s 16-acre campus as a Medical Zone,” White said in a statement today.
“The patients, Jersey City and Hudson County residents need stable and basic healthcare, which Christ Hospital has provided continuously for over 150 years.”