Long Branch Residents Had Impact Delaying Decision To Relocate Monmouth Medical Center, Mayor Says

LONG BRANCH, NJ — Long Branch Mayor John Pallone said he is happy to hear the NJ State Health Planning Board said last week it was not ready to make a decision to approve RWJBarnabas Health's application to relocate Monmouth Medical Center to Tinton Falls.

The State Health Planning Board said it still needs more information before it decides, such as how Long Branch's poorest residents will be affected.

“I welcome the Board’s decision, and I want to personally thank the residents of Long Branch and everyone who came out to support our community and the fight to keep Monmouth Medical Center and all of its critical services in Long Branch,” said Pallone Monday. “Hearing from so many residents, representing our diverse community, clearly made a huge impact on the Board’s decision to postpone issuing their final recommendation.”

Hundreds of Long Branch residents were at the Long Branch Senior Center last Thursday, where the State Health Planning Board's meeting was shown via a livestream. Many residents waited for up to six hours to give their thoughts before the board.

Many Long Branch residents spoke against the move, saying Monmouth Medical Center has been a lifeline for them and their families. However, a handful of Long Branch residents did say they approved of the hospital's decision to relocate.

After the eight hour hearing, the State Health Planning Board, made up of doctors and public health experts from across the state, said they still need more information, such as how Long Branch's poorest residents will be impacted, whether RWJBarnabas will provide public transportation to the new hospital campus, and how staffing will be affected.

The State Health Board will make a decision at a later date. It did not say when.

RWJBarnabas Health, which owns Monmouth Medical Center, said they were "extremely disappointed" by the Board's failure to decide. Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJ's biggest rival, warned the move will "destabilize healthcare across the region."

State Health Board Not Ready To Vote On Relocating Monmouth Medical Center To Tinton Falls (Dec. 5)