Brooklyn Elected officials Condemn SUNY for attempting to shutdown Long Island College Hospital
Following news that SUNY has reduced staff levels and diverted patients to other hospitals, a coalition of Brooklyn elected officials joined together in condemning SUNY's actions as a backhanded attempt to shutdown Long Island College Hospital (LICH).
"SUNY's actions are a sign that they are actively working to shut down Long Island College Hospital, and by doing so are putting the lives of Brooklynites at risk," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Stephen Levin, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assembly Member Joan Millman.
"SUNY's decision to reduce staff levels, close the Emergency Room at Long Island College Hospital and its diversion of ambulance service away from the hospital is a clear violation of Judge Johnny Lee Baynes' order for staffing levels to be maintained at LICH.
"Even more outrageously, while SUNY clearly is in violation of the Court's wishes, their actions are actively endangering the lives of those in the communities surrounding LICH. For residents in Red Hook, Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, LICH is the closest Emergency Room and is the quickest and best suited to respond when medical attention is needed.
"SUNY must immediately reopen LICH's Emergency Room, reinstate normal ambulance service and restore staff levels. With every additional moment that they wait, they are taking Brooklynites' lives into their hands and asserting that they somehow are above the law and the wishes of New York State Supreme Court."