Jersey City is losing 1 of its 2 emergency rooms. Where will patients in crisis go?

"These nurses can always find other jobs, but these patients in this city are not going be able to just come up with accessible health care. They're going to have to travel a distance. What the nurses have been told is that if they have a patient who has to be admitted to a hospital that they should call 911. An emergency department that had to call 911 is insane to me."

"Heights University Hospital, which has been serving the roughly 50,000-person Heights neighborhood since 1872, was acquired by Hudson Regional Health last year. Operator Hudson Regional Health said its heavy financial losses threatened the stability of the rest of its network."

"Hudson Regional Health originally planned to close the emergency department last weekend, but extended that deadline another two weeks following fierce outcry from local and state officials. The state Department of Health has not approved the hospital's closure, and has asked Hudson Regional to provide more information in its closure application."

Heights University Hospital, serving Jersey City's Heights neighborhood since 1872, will close its emergency department on March 14 due to financial losses threatening Hudson Regional Health's network stability. The closure leaves Jersey City with only one emergency room, forcing residents to travel greater distances for emergency care. Ambulance services have already been redirecting trauma patients to other area hospitals for months. Nurses and union officials express concern that while healthcare workers can find employment elsewhere, residents lack accessible alternatives. The state Department of Health has not approved the closure and requested additional information from Hudson Regional Health. The hospital operator initially planned to close the ER sooner but extended the deadline following opposition from local and state officials.

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