Hudson County Hospital Chain Says It's In Dire Need Of Aid To Treat Needy, Posts Petition

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — In the latest saga in the annals of American health care, a hospital chain that provides care to a needy population has launched a petition to get paid.

CarePoint Health said Tuesday that they are treating an increased homeless and underinsured population at their three hospitals in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Bayonne.

"The situation is becoming increasingly dire," they said, "with CarePoint's emergency departments overwhelmed by the growing number of local homeless patients."

The non-profit chain says it has treated 4,300 homeless people in its emergency rooms in 2023, as well as 17,500 charity care patients (who could be uninsured or underinsured).

(Are you uninsured or underinsured? Affordable Care Act insurance, colloquially known as "Obamacare," is on a sliding scale, and a consultant can explain your options. Find out more here.)

Tuesday, they announced that they've started a petition drive, saying that they need $13o million in state aid to continue treating the uninsured, underinsured, homeless, and others.

70,000 Uninsured In Hudson County

"Hudson County, home to approximately 70,000 residents without health insurance and around 80,000 undocumented immigrants, relies on CarePoint's safety net hospitals for essential health care services," they said. "CarePoint's commitment to never turning away those in need is admirable, but without state funding support, this altruistic access to health care cannot be sustained."

The chain, which accepts state Medicaid, said they hope "to send a clear signal to Trenton about the urgent need for additional funding to sustain the level of service that all patients deserve regardless of their ability to pay."

Sued For $4.7M

News articles in various media over the past three months give indications of CarePoint's shaky financial health. Monday, NJ.com reported that vendors are suing the chain for $4.7 million for nonpayment. According to Hudson County View, a landlord in Hoboken is suing the chain for $33,000 in back rent for an office on 14th Street.

In 2022, CarePoint sued RWJBarnabas Health, saying the competitor was trying to force them into insolvency.

"We urge our state leadership to recognize the urgent need that exists at our hospitals and allocate appropriate funding from the state budget and any available discretionary funds towards CarePoint’s community health initiatives,” said President and CEO of CarePoint Health Achintya Moulick. “We are encouraging all Hudson County residents to join this effort by signing our petition and supporting a truly noble cause by advocating for continued access to essential health care services in Hudson County.”

They said that while the total American Rescue Plan Act distribution to New Jersey hospitals reached nearly $700 million by the end of 2023, CarePoint Health System, "with its three safety net hospitals," has received zero dollars.

They noted that last week, the state of New Jersey's Department of Health disbursed $10 million that was allocated to CarePoint Health in the 2023 budget.

"While this is a step in the right direction," they said, "CarePoint is in need of at least $100 million in state appropriations and a $30 million Governors Grant in order to continue operating at an optimal pace that fulfills their mission to treat every patient that comes to a CarePoint facility.

"Hudson County, home to approximately 70,000 residents without health insurance and around 80,000 undocumented immigrants, relies on CarePoint's safety net hospitals for essential health care services."

CarePoint runs Hoboken University Medical Center, Christ Hospital in Jersey City Heights, and Bayonne Medical Center, as well as numerous specialty medical offices for adults and children.

The petition had 446 signatures by 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Find it here.

Hoboken Council Supports Hospital

Two Hoboken City Council members, Tiffanie Fisher and Emily Jabbour, sponsored a resolution for Wednesday's council agenda "in support of request by Hoboken University Medical Center to the state for additional [aid]." Watch the meeting here.