Sandra Cunningham

TRENTON – Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s panel hearing on the affect of the FY 2009 Budget on the State Department of Corrections:

“While talking with senior staff from the Department of Corrections today, it struck me that the Department’s most important programs don’t focus on the incarceration of inmates, but rather on making sure New Jersey citizens don’t commit crimes in the first place.

TRENTON – Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing on the FY 2009 Budget for the State Department of Health & Senior Services:

“With the recent closure of Greenville Hospital in Jersey City, I have been extremely concerned that the community’s uninsured residents would be put in jeopardy, unable to access necessary medical care. During this morning’s Budget Committee hearing I was relieved to learn from Commissioner Howard that the charity care funding allotted to Greenville Hospital will stay in the community to offset the increased costs that will be borne by other hospitals in the city.

TRENTON – After the first meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Schools for this Legislative Session, State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, a member of the panel, issued the following statement:

“Educating our young is one of the most sacred and important obligations of government. We must ensure future generations have the tools and training needed to be successful in today’s world, and a good education is the foundation for future success.

TRENTON – State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, issued the following statement after receiving a letter from Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard indicating that she would allow Liberty Health Systems to close Greenville Hospital in Jersey City due to financial hardship:

“I’m disappointed by the announcement today that Greenville Hospital has been given approval by the Commissioner of Health to close. It’s unfortunate that the people in the Greenville section of Jersey City will lose access to such a vital health care center which has served as a part of the community for more than 100 years.

NEW BRUNSWICK – Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, today released the following statement highlighting her concern about proposed cuts to health care and education funding within Governor Corzine’s proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget. Senator Cunningham and other members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee heard testimony today from representatives of municipalities, interest groups and organizations at a hearing held at Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus.

“First and foremost, I’m concerned about many of the proposed cuts within this budget. I understand the necessity of freeing up funds to help improve New Jersey’s fiscal standing, but it is imperative that we look at the people who will be affected by the reductions in aid.

TRENTON – Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, D-Hudson, who serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s fiscal year 2009 budget address:

“I commend Governor Corzine for taking courageous steps to address the State’s financial woes. I understand that crafting a budget that helps to reduce the spending, while also maintaining necessary programs is a difficult task. Even harder still is coming up with a plan that has broad voter approval.

EAST WINDSOR – At a meeting of the State Health Planning Board today at which the board voted to recommend the closure of Greenville Hospital, Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham said that the closing of the hospital in Jersey City will leave the community without “access to adequate, timely and necessary health care.

Senator Cunningham noted that, even though the State Health Planning Board decided to allow Greenville Hospital to close, the Commissioner of Health has 120 days to make a final decision. She said that she will continue to make the case for the facility to the Commissioner.

“Despite its economic problems, Greenville hospital operates as a valuable first point of care for so many Jersey City residents,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “A hospital’s worth cannot be judged solely by the dollars it brings in, but by the people it serves. I implore State regulators and hospital administrators to find some alternative to shutting the doors on Greenville Hospital, so that the facility can continue to provide the community with access to local, high quality health care.”