"[Hudson Regional Health] decided to disregard existing rules, and basically the fines are cheaper than continuing to maintain hospital services or emergency department services until they could abide the closure process that's already in place."
"So if the existing penalties are not enough to get folks to comply with the law. We're going to work with the administration to add tools to their toolkit."
"The governor will be pursuing legislation to give the state more tools to hold health care facilities accountable to the patients and communities they serve."
"Local leaders pledged to use every legal avenue at their disposal to prevent the closure, but ultimately failed to get a last-minute injunction to head it off."
The closure of Heights University Hospital has left Jersey City with only one emergency room, leading to community outrage and legal considerations. State Senator Raj Mukherji is drafting a bill to increase penalties for hospitals that close without state approval and to allow state intervention in such cases. The governor's office is also pursuing legislation to enhance accountability for healthcare facilities. Local leaders are exploring legal options, including eminent domain, to reopen the hospital, which had served the community for over 150 years.
Read at Gothamist
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