Hudson Regonal Health May Revive Closed Jersey City Hospital

JERSEY CITY, NJ — On the eve of a state hearing to formally consider the closure of a Jersey City hospital — which actually closed three weeks ago — a hospital spokesperson said the company will withdraw its application to shut.

Hudson Regional Health spokesperson Vijay Chaudhuri said just after 9 p.m. Tuesday that the company will consider keeping the Heights University Hospital site open for health care in some form.

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But a medical workers' union said that the company is simply trying to stop the state hearing scheduled for Wednesday night.

Chaudhuri said, "Hudson Regional Health has always intended to provide critical healthcare access in a manner that is financially sustainable in the Heights. In recent days, HRH has been encouraged by renewed efforts with its landlord to evaluate the restoration of healthcare services in the region. As a result of these ongoing discussions, HRH has decided to withdraw its Certificate of Need application for closure."

Withdrawing their application means that a state hearing Wednesday night, to take place on the hospital grounds, may be canceled.

"HRH leadership will continue to engage with elected officials to solicit feedback on the most appropriate way to provide healthcare to the Heights community," Chaudhuri said.

But Debbie White, the head of Health Professionals and Allied Employees, said, "HPAE remains committed to fighting for the citizens of Jersey City and condemning the illegal actions of Hudson Regional Health regarding Christ Hospital. The purpose of the New Jersey Department of Health hearing is for the public to have their say. We think with all that HRH has taken away from the community, they deserve to have their voices heard."

Last month, the Secaucus-based company — which took over three Hudson County hospitals last year during bankruptcy proceedings — closed the Emergency Room at the 154-year-old Heights University Hospital.

The former Christ Hospital , which the company had renamed, sits on valuable property. It's perched atop the Palisades cliffs, with views of Hoboken and the Manhattan skyline.

Jersey City officials have argued that HRH moved too quickly to close the hospital, and said the city may look at eminent domain.

"When Christ Hospital closed, it left a real void for families in the Heights who depended on it," said Councilman Jake Ephros, who represents Jersey City Heights, recently.

Officials have said that the Emergency Room across town at Jersey City Medical Center has become overburdened because of the closure.

This week, hospital supporters urged the community to attend a state Department of Health public hearing on Wednesday.

On a city government page called "Rush to Close Christ Hospital," officials said the owners didn't follow the proper procedure to close the bulk of the departments. In fact, the Jersey City Times reported in January that the owners had been fined by the state for the closure.

The Meeting

The "Public Hearing Notice for the Certificate of Need Application from Hudson Hospital OPCO, LLC. for the closure of Heights University Hospital" is scheduled to be held in the hospital's community room on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m., unless it's canceled.

The hospital is located at 176 Palisade Ave., Jersey City.

More information on the hearing and application to close is here.

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