Politicos and hospital staff rallied with Hudson Regional Health (HRH) Heights University Hospital staff in Jersey City in an effort to remain open in the midst of worsening financial struggles.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and state Senators Raj Mukherji (D-32), Brian Stack (D-33), and Angela McKnight (D-31) are working to advance a bill for a $25 million appropriation to stabilize the urban healthcare facility.
Their bill requires several things in return in terms of oversight, transparency, and labor protections for millions of dollars.
“This is our neighborhood and our hospital!” Allen exclaimed to cheers.
He led the crowd, cheering “Save Our Hospital!”
“Healthcare is an incredibly important component of any community. It is a deeply personal matter … Our community cannot afford to lose this hospital,” Allen also noted.
He added that hospital workers were considered essential heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Had Christ Hospital not been here for my brother … he could have died,” Brianna McNeill exclaimed.
“It needs to stay open 100 percent,” she declared to applause.
Mukherji noted the hospital’s sustainability has been an issue for 10 years since many patients can’t afford health insurance, including undocumented immigrants, and those on Medicaid.
“That goes back to a fundamental problem in our so-called first world democracy. Why are there people without healthcare? This would not be an issue if every single resident had access to health care!” he exclaimed.
Mukherji called for enacting universal healthcare or Medicare for All for every single New Jerseyan, though acknowledged that probably isn’t realistic adding “that is not in the cards, and we can’t afford to lose the hospital.”
He also noted that several hospitals recently sued arguing that charity care was not fair and equitably, though the litigation was unsuccessful.
He noted the federal government is currently shut down due to a dispute between Democrats and Republicans largely over cuts to Medicaid and healthcare subsidies, noting that the losses at Heights University have been far greater than expected.
From there, Allen noted Hudson County Executive Craig Guy supports their effort, but couldn’t attend, so his chief of staff, Jenny Davis, spoke on his behalf.
“Work together to support the legislation in the state … Everyone deserves healthcare … We need to save our hospital!” Davis exclaimed to applause.
“No matter the fights … the workers kept working … Healthcare is a human right!” McKnight exclaimed to applause. She joined the chorus of electeds praising HRH for purchasing CarePoint Health’s hospitals.
Two opponents in the Jersey City mayoral race, ex-Gov. Jim McGreevey and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali.
“There are few tasks more basic in a democracy than to promote the health and welfare of our citizens. We need a rational plan to sustain this hospital’s function,” McGreevey stated.
Ali credited hospital workers for allowing him to prevail in his battle with cancer.
“ … I wonder sometimes if this was happening in a different town where people who looked different from us, would this be happening? … The answer is no,” he said, further stating the hospital deserved a bailout similar to what happened to Wall Street in 2008.
Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano credited hospital staff at then-Christ Hospital for saving his life when he suffered a heart attack.
“This hospital has to stay open, and there’s no way they’re gonna close this: God bless this hospital.”
Allen then introduced HRH CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh, who said he began working for the hospital chain in 2012 and even though financial woes were present.
He added that 65 percent of the hospital’s patients are charity care or undocumented immigrants who cannot pay, also recalling that elected officials were desperate for a new owner last year after CarePoint filed for bankruptcy.
Kifaieh also said federal healthcare cuts pushed by President Donald Trump (R) have caused 30 percent of Medicaid patients to lose their healthcare.
Allen noted that Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) was present, along with Hudson County Commissioner and mayoral candidate Bill O’Dea (D-2).
In addition, Hudson County Building Trades President Patrick Kelleher and Local 253 President Tommy Hurley were present, along with SEIU 1199 union representatives.
“State regulators should hold HRH accountable to fulfill the promises they’ve made during the bankruptcy. Any funding must come with transparency, a plan, and a requirement to fulfill the plan,” HPAE union President Debbie White said in a statement.
Last year, HRH assured the courts and New Jersey regulators that they had the resources to keep CarePoint’s three hospitals operational, but has since said they plan to cut non-essential services and would consider layoffs.
Kifaieh previously said these measures were necessary since Heights University Hospital had incurred $60 million in losses this year.
Late last month, the New Jersey Department of Health said that “HRH simply cannot close a hospital overnight,” noting that the process is extensive, as HCV first reported.
