As part of a developing story regarding the potential closure of Christ Hospital in Jersey City, Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health says that CarePoint Health recently rejected their offerers for their hospitals in Jersey City and Hoboken.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The owners of CarePoint Health have very recently rejected RWJBarnabas Health’s fair and appropriate offer for the acquisition of Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center,” RWJBH said in a statement.
“The terms of the RWJBH offer: (i) ensured the residents of Hudson County access to high quality medical care, and (ii) eliminated the complex management and ownership structures of the CarePoint affiliated entities, which gave rise to the litigation amongst its current and former owners.”
Referring to pending litigation between CarePoint and Alaris Health as an “incredible distraction,” RWJBH said they still negotiated “in good faith,” receiving support from officials, the community at large, and medical professionals.
“Notwithstanding this disappointing result, RWJBH will remain committed to the provision of health care to residents of Hudson County and will continue to make additional strategic investments for growth in the months and years to come.”
This morning, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop wrote for Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to intervene in the situation since the closure of Christ Hospital “may be imminent.”
Additionally, Hoboken spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri said that Mayor Ravi Bhalla has been closely monitoring the situation and is hopeful that the deal can still be salvaged.
“Mayor Bhalla has been in direct communication with the New Jersey Commissioner of Health regarding the future of the Hoboken University Medical Center, speaking with her as recently as this afternoon,” he said.
“He was assured of the State’s continued attention to this critical issue, and is thankful that they plan to further engage all key stakeholders in the coming weeks. Although this is a proposed transaction between two private parties, he is hopeful that a deal will be effectuated as soon as possible.â€
In October, CarePoint announced that they had signed a non-binding letter of intent to sell Christ Hospital and the Hoboken University Medical Center to RWJBH in the midst of concerns about the Bayonne Medical Center closing.
While the future of the BMC has remained in limbo since then, CarePoint has accused Alaris Health of interfering with the sales in hopes of purchasing the BMC and converting it into a nursing home.
Alaris, whose owner has also purchased the properties where the BMC and HUMC sit, has responded in a counterclaim by alleging that the owners of CarePoint embezzled millions as their hospitals continued to lose money, echoing the claims made by the New Jersey Commission of Investigation back in March.
Related Coverage: CarePoint says they’re ready to keep negotiating hospital sales with RWJBarnabas Health
