MAYOR DAVIS AND LEGISLATORS MEET WITH STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER TO DISCUSS FIGHT TO SAVE BAYONNE MEDICAL CENTER

BAYONNE, N.J. — Mayor Jimmy Davis, Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, and Assembly members Nicholas A. Chiaravalloti and Angela V. McKnight met with State Department of Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli on Thursday morning to discuss the looming healthcare crisis that city residents would face if Bayonne Medical Center were to close.

During the 90 minute meeting, which was also attended by several key DOH officials, Mayor Davis stressed that losing an acute care hospital in Bayonne would deprive residents of vital healthcare services. In an emergency situation, this could mean the difference between life and death.

“Commissioner Persichilli understands the urgency of this situation and several unique factors that make saving our hospital absolutely critical,” said Mayor Jimmy Davis. “She is aware we will do everything in our power to keep Bayonne Medical Center open and that this fight is only just beginning.”

Davis emphasized that Bayonne is a peninsula city and reaching Jersey City Medical Center, the next closest hospital, could take up to an hour when traffic is heavy. The Mayor added that Bayonne is experiencing a significant economic revitalization and the city’s population is rapidly growing, with 6,500 new housing units already planned or under construction. Davis also pointed out that Bayonne has a large number of senior residents who would be particularly impacted by the loss of the city’s only full service hospital.

“We appreciate Commissioner Persichilli for taking the time to meet with us today,” said Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti. “It’s very clear that she shares our concern for the healthcare needs of our city and county. We are confident the Department of Health is monitoring this situation very closely.”

####