Murphy Freezes $3M From Holy Name Medical Center

TEANECK, NJ — Holy Name Medical Center could lose $3 million in state funding to help provide ongoing care to patients diagnosed with serious illnesses.

The money was part of Gov. Phil Murphy freezing $235 million in spending this week. It was to help fund the center's Palliative Care Pilot Program, which focuses on improving patients' quality of life by relieving their pain. The program is similar to a hospice program, but it is not just end-of-life care

Holy Name's President and CEO Michael Maron said the hospital is grateful that the money was allocated in both the State Legislature's and Murphy's budgets.

"While we're disappointed to hear the funding is now on hold, we are confident that our area legislators will go to bat for us and work with the Governor to ensure funding is restored and patients aren’t put at risk," Maron said. "This critical funding supports patients in their last months, hours and days at the only free-standing hospice in North Jersey. Moreover, it creates a statewide model for the full spectrum of end-of-life care — encompassing the patient, family, caregiver, provider and community."

Related: Englewood Teen Center Could Lose $120K Under Murphy Budget Cuts

The program was one of 64 items that could permanently lose funding under Murphy's plan, a plan he put in place since he failed to get a millionaire's tax inserted into New Jersey's 2020 budget.

"We must be honest about its shortfalls: This is a budget that does not include tax fairness, does not ask opioid manufacturers to help fund addiction services, and does not raise gun fees that have been untouched since 1966," Murphy said. "These common-sense revenues would have allowed us to save for a rainy day and sustainably fund necessary investments for New Jersey's 9 million residents. Make no mistake, I will continue fighting for tax fairness and fiscal responsibility well beyond (the) budget actions."

Senate President Stephen Sweeney called the move a "shameless act of political retribution."

A complete list of spending items that Governor Murphy has placed into reserve is here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com