Assemblyman John Allen (District 32) said Oct. 2 that he will introduce a companion bill in the state Assembly to allocate $25 million for beleaguered Heights University Hospital to keep the institution open. The hospital is part of the newly formed Hudson Regional Health system based in Secaucus.
“It is abundantly clear that the Heights University Medical Center (Hospital) is a critical and vital resource for so many of my constituents in Jersey City, and communities nearby,” said Assemblyman Allen. “The hospital’s closure would be catastrophic, and however we got here, we cannot allow it to fail. The hospital’s track record of success in Secaucus gives me hope that they can turn around the previous neglect of the system and revitalize the care to the level that residents can reliably depend on.”
Allen’s announcement follows state Sens. Brian Stack, Raj Mukherji and Angela McKnight’s pledge for legislation in the state Senate for the funding that will allow the Heights hospital to remain open and help stabilize the system over the next several months.
“I am proud to introduce this companion legislation in the Assembly, appreciate the leadership of Senators Stack, Mukherji, and McKnight, and am hopeful that it will promptly advance and be signed into law,” said Allen.
Allen’s announcement was welcomed by Hudson Regional Health Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nazir Kifaieh.
“We deeply appreciate the continued support of Assemblyman Allen, Senator Stack, Senator Mukherji, Senator McKnight, and our legislative partners as we work to preserve vital health-care access in Jersey City,” said Kifaieh. “We know they share our commitment to save and stabilize the hospital, protect the jobs of our dedicated staff, and ensure patients continue to have access to the care they need.”
Mukherji (District 32) and Stack (District 33) announced Tuesday that they were cosponsoring a supplemental appropriation of $15 million to $25 million in the lame duck session to keep Heights University Hospital open through the remainder of 2025. Mukherji made the announcement on Instagram. Angela McKnight (District 31) later joined as a cosponsor.
The hospital serves many low-income residents of Jersey City. Mukherji’s district includes Jersey City and Hoboken. Stack’s district covers the Hudson County municipalities of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken, and West New York. McKnight’s district includes Kearny, Bayonne, and parts of Jersey City.
Hudson Regional Health announced on Sept. 26 that unless it received financial support from the state and other public entities, it will suspend non-essential services at Heights University Hospital.
The Jersey City institution was one of four Hudson County hospitals officially taken over by Hudson Regional Health earlier this month. The health-care group said the decision was made in consultation with the state Department of Health.
The Secaucus-based health care group said in a statement of Sept. 26 that “without substantial financial support from the State of New Jersey and other government entities, it will pursue an anticipated plan to suspend non-essential services at Heights University Hospital, formerly known as Christ Hospital.”
Kifaieh said on Sept. 26 that after an analysis, Heights University Hospital was unable to avoid continued financial distress. He called the anticipated losses of over $60 million per year at Heights University Hospital “simply unsustainable to maintain.”
