State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) says he and state Senator Brian Stack (D-33) will introduce a bill to allocate $25 million from the state to the Heights University Hospital in Jersey City as financial woes have again reared their ugly head in recent days.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“These losses aren’t sustainable. We need a lifeline to keep this hospital open and emergency services in the Heights and Senator Stack and I are gonna sponsor a $25,000,000 supplemental appropriation in the lame duck session, but this can’t be a blank check without guardrails,” Mukherji said in an Instagram Reel.
“But this would be a recoverable grant. If I’m going to support state aid, there needs to be strong clawback protections against the system if the hospital were to close: Labor neutrality provisions, robust transparency – the state monitor needs to stay – and if they’re going to change local zoning to monetize these beautiful views, a hospital must remain.”
He concluded that residents who rely on Medicaid and charity care deserve the same access to emergency services as everyone else.
An official from the state Department of Health warned Hudson Regional Health that they can’t close Heights University Hospital overnight in a letter issued the same day they announced they would be cutting non-essential services in the next month, as only HCV reported.
Jersey Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Hoboken 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, who are running for mayor in their respective cities, demanded answers about the financial woes of the hospital on Saturday.
Then on Sunday, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), another Jersey City mayoral candidate, called for “a task force of all levels of government” to be formed to ensure the former Christ Hospital remains open.
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 and are now threatening layoffs.
State Senator Angela McKnight also weighed in yesterday, stating that many city residents cannot afford to have the facility close.
“Everyone will feel the ripple effects: longer wait and travel times, reduced access to preventive care, and poorer health outcomes. Our community cannot afford to lose this critical resource.”
On Wednesday, HRH CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh expectedly expressed enthusiasm about the new proposal slated to hit the state legislature soon.
“I’m extremely encouraged that our local Senate delegation will introduce a budget amendment to provide critical, much-needed funding to save Heights University Medical Center. Despite the unprecedented, nearly $300 million investment into our hospitals since taking over the system last fall, the reality is that state funding has become necessary to support the operations of our Jersey City hospital, given the $60 million in financial loses from this year alone,” he said.
“We are optimistic this $25 million investment will be part of a full government injection needed to stabilize the hospital, support our healthcare workers, and reinvest in critical service lines. We strongly urge the Governor and legislature to adopt this resolution to help us keep the Heights hospital open.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Wednesday afternoon with a comment from HRH CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh.
