Elected Officials Urge NYS health Commish To Keep LICH Open

In a letter delivered Thursday evening Feb. 14 to New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, 16 elected officials joined with leadership from SEIU 1199 United Healthcare Workers East, The New York State Nurses Association and other community leaders in urging the state to save Long Island College Hospital in the wake of last week’s vote by the SUNY Board of Trustees to close the facility.

LICH serves over 100,000 patients a year, many of whom are working families, seniors and other vulnerable patient populations throughout the borough. With over 2,000 employees, LICH is also one of the borough’s largest employers, and its closure would destroy good jobs and be a severe blow to the local economy.

Calling the vote “premature and irresponsible,” the group urged the state to explore alternatives to keep the hospital open.

The text of the letter is available below and is below:

February 14, 2013

Dear New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah,

We are writing to urge you to consider alternative solutions which will keep Long Island College Hospital’s vital healthcare services and jobs in the community. The vote by the SUNY Board to close LICH was premature, irresponsible, and did not allow adequate time to explore other options. LICH is located in a growing neighborhood and offers many medical services that are unique to the area. We believe that with the right planning, leadership and vision, the hospital could remain open and viable.

LICH provides crucial healthcare services to over 100,000 people a year, including seniors, working families and vulnerable patient populations. Contrary to recent misinformation, LICH operates with nearly a full census, and is utilized by many patients from the surrounding neighborhood, as well as other areas throughout the borough. There is only one other hospital nearby, and closing LICH would not only put patients at risk by eliminating services, but also result in severe overcrowding of other facilities. LICH is also one of the largest employers in the area, and a closure would destroy over 2,000 good jobs and be a severe blow to the local economy.

We are fully committed to working with all stakeholders to make sure this disastrous closure is avoided and we preserve LICH’s crucial healthcare services and good jobs.

Help caregivers keep LICH open for care. Please do not shut the door on Brooklyn patients and residents.

Sincerely,

George Gresham

President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East

Jonathan Westin

Executive Director of NY Communities for Change

Jill Furillo, RN

Executive Director, New York State Nurses Association

Daniel Squadron

NY State Senator

Eric Adams

NY State Senator