Jersey City is down to one hospital as residents in the Heights consider where to go for care
Jersey City fails to convince courts and the governor's office to force Heights University Hospital to stay open. Ownership says it must closed after taking a $74 million dollar loss last year.
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Heights University Hospital in Jersey City is officially closed, which means those who depended on the facility now have to decide where they will go for health care or an emergency.
For the next two weeks, Hudson Regional Health will post an ambulance outside the Emergency Department for those in need.
The nearest urgent care facility is Concentra Urgent Care on Summit Avenue. Jersey City Medical Center is now the only remaining hospital, which is 10 minutes away by car from the Heights neighborhood.
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon says he'll keep up the fight to keep the facility open, even invoking the potential use of eminent domain.
However, this may be difficult considering Hudson Regional Health doesn't own the property.
Hudson Regional Health has stated it can no longer afford to keep the hospital open, citing a projected $37 million loss following a $74 million loss last year.
Hospital officials have said they became financially strapped due to a drop in state and Medicaid funding, along with a declining rate of patients and a clientele that is 65% dependent on charity care.
It's not yet clear what is next for the property.
Hudson Regional Health sent out a statement saying, "With the State of New Jersey and the City of Jersey City stating yesterday they are not willing to provide funding or other measures to support HRH in operating the facility, HRH has been left with no alternative but to suspend operations and continue the Certificate of Need for closure. While this outcome is extremely disappointing, the decision was made to preserve the stability of the hospitals in the system and ensure the continued delivery of care within the HRH Hudson County network.
HRH will continue to explore all options, in partnership with all interested parties and government partners, in building a future, sustainable healthcare system in the Heights that provides quality care the community deserves, in a way that is financially sustainable."
