JERSEY CITY, NJ — A state hearing to consider the closure of a hospital in Jersey City — which actually closed three weeks ago — will now be held in a local high school.
The hearing will be held at 5 p.m. at Dickinson High School at 2 Palisade Ave. in Jersey City, according to a notice from the state.
On Tuesday night, the eve of the hearing, the owners of Christ Hospital in Jersey City Heights said they'd withdraw their application to shut.
But a medical workers' union said that the company was simply trying to stop the New Jersey Department of Health hearing. The union head encouraged people to still attend.
Just after 9 p.m. Tuesday, Hudson Regional Health spokesperson Vijay Chaudhuri said the company will consider reopening the Heights University Hospital site for health care in some form.
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 could theoretically cancel the state hearing, but as of Wednesday, it was still on — and moved to a larger site in the city.
"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.
Debbie White, the head of Health Professionals and Allied Employees, said Wednesday morning, "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."
And a spokesperson for Jersey City Mayor James Solomon said, “HRH has not engaged the city about relocating Christ Hospital or any other serious alternative proposal for the facility. Mayor Solomon will be testifying at tonight’s community hearing, hosted by the New Jersey Department of Health, about the need for high-quality, reliable healthcare facilities in the Heights run by partners who see residents at patients, not profits.”
When asked if the facility may actually reopen as a hospital, Chaudhuri told Patch, "HRH continues to evaluate all options to provide care in Jersey City."
Last Month's Closure
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 from 5 to 7 p.m.
More information on the hearing and application to close is here.
READ MORE: New Owners To Close Jersey City Hospital
READ MORE: Two People Arrested During Protest Of Hospital Closing
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