TRENTON – The Senate today overwhelmingly approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham, D-Hudson, to require written notification to state, federal and local officials in a municipality where a hospital may close.
“Before a hospital just shuts down, we need time to help patients and their families,” said Senator Cunningham. “It’s a tremendous hardship which is often life-threatening, when a dependable health care facility just closes down without adequate notice.”
TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Sandra Bolden Cunningham and Ronald L. Rice which would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to provide written notification to local leaders when a hospital in their municipality files with the department to close was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.
“Recently, with the closing of Greenville Hospital in Jersey City, I’ve seen firsthand that time is of the essence when it comes to mobilizing the community to fight for a health care facility,” said Senator Cunningham, D-Hudson. “Local leaders need to be given every chance to work to keep a hospital open if it serves a major need in the community, or prepare local residents for life after closure. This bill gives elected leaders ample warning to work with their constituents for a health care solution that meets the needs of the neighborhood.”