Listen to this articleThe basics:
- $25M supplemental appropriation proposed to support Heights University Hospital
- Funding aims to prevent staff layoffs and service reductions
- Lawmakers, unions, and community leaders stress hospital’s critical role
- Hudson Regional cites $60M annual losses and need for state aid
New developments have emerged this week regarding the future of Heights University Hospital in Jersey City. The latest includes pending legislation to infuse desperately needed funding to the facility.
As NJBIZ reported Sept. 26, the leadership of Hudson Regional Health announced that without substantial financial support, it would have to potentially suspend non-essential services in Jersey City. HRH operates Heights University Hospital, following the CarePoint Health bankruptcy.
That announcement resulted in instant reaction from a slew of relevant stakeholders throughout the state, especially around the Jersey City community.
‘No specifics’
The Health Professionals & Allied Employees put out a statement Sept. 26.
“Less than six months ago, Hudson Regional Health assured a bankruptcy court and government regulators that they had the resources necessary to take over and operate Christ Hospital in Jersey City, which they’ve since renamed Heights University Hospital,” HPAE President Debbie White said Sept. 26. “Now, HRH executives claim that they can no longer afford to keep Heights open and are seeking to renege on their commitment by threatening to serve workers at the hospital with layoff notices.
“Union leaders were presented with no plan for the future but were encouraged to tell the Department of Health and the governor that they need money to keep Heights Hospital afloat. According to Hudson Regional administrators, if they don’t get state funding, they will be forced to either lay off staff, reduce services or close the hospital. However, they gave the union no specifics.”
White described the decision as “disgraceful.” She said it shows a complete disregard of the workers and the people of Hudson County.
“As a union, HPAE reserves the right to negotiate the decision and the impact on our members who have sacrificed year in, year out caring for Hudson County patients,” said White. “We will stand up and fight for this community.”
A ‘critical’ community resource
State Sen. Angela McKnight, D-31st District, expressed deep concern Sept. 29 about the potential operational cutbacks and layoffs.
“Heights University Hospital provides vital clarity care to our most vulnerable residents – those who have nowhere else to turn in their time of need and already face significant health inequities and barriers to care,” said McKnight. “Any reduction in services will only compound these struggles, placing even greater strain on our local health care system and possibly leaving Jersey Medical Center as the sole provider for our city.
“Everyone will feel the ripple effects: longer wait and travel times, reduced access to preventative care, and poorer health outcomes. Our community cannot afford to lose this critical resource. Everyone must come together to find a sustainable solution that keeps Heights University Hospital fully operational and able to serve those who need it most.”
$25M lifeline
Earlier this week, Sen. Raj Mukherji, D-32nd District, announced plans alongside Sen. Brian Stack, D-33rd District, to introduce legislation that would provide a $25 million supplemental appropriation.
“We need a lifeline to keep this hospital open and emergency services in the Heights. Sen. Stack and I are going to sponsor a $25 million supplemental appropriation in the lame duck session. But this can’t be a blank check without guardrails,” said Mukherji in a video posted on social media.
“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 are going to change local zoning to monetize these beautiful views, a hospital must remain at the end of the day. Hudson County residents who rely on Medicaid and charity care deserve the same access to timely emergency care as anyone else.”
Glass half full
In response to that pledge from Mukherji, Hudson Regional Health President and CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh said he was extremely encouraged. Kifaieh he said the anticipated legislation would 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,” said Kifaieh in an Oct. 1 statement.
“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.”
Coming together
Assemblyman John Allen, D-32nd District, said Oct. 2 he plans to introduce a companion supplemental funding bill in the Assembly.
“It is abundantly clear that the Heights University Medical Center is a critical and vital resource for so many of my constituents in Jersey City, and communities nearby,” said Allen. “The hospital’s closure would be catastrophic, and however we got here, we cannot allow it to fail.
“The hospital’s track record of success in Secaucus gives me hope that they can turn around the previous neglect of the system, and revitalize the care to the level that residents can reliably depend on. I am proud to introduce this companion legislation in the Assembly, appreciate the leadership of Senators Stack, Mukherji, and McKnight, and am hopeful that it will promptly advance and be signed into law.”
… Heights University Medical Center is a critical and vital resource for so many of my constituents in Jersey City, and communities nearby. The hospital’s closure would be catastrophic, and however we got here, we cannot allow it to fail.
– Assemblyman John Allen, D-32nd District
Kifaieh responded to that development in an Oct. 2 statement.
“We deeply appreciate the continued support of Assemblyman Allen, Senator Stack, Senator Mukherji, Senator McKnight, and our legislative partners as we work to preserve vital healthcare access in Jersey City,” said Kifaieh. “We know they share our commitment to save and stabilize the hospital, protect the jobs of our dedicated staff, and ensure patients continue to have access to the care they need.”
Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest on this developing story.
