SUNY Votes To Close Long Island College Hospital—Again

For the second time in several weeks, state officials voted on Tuesday to shut down the Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill, citing pecuniary stress.

"This is the latest of many actions needed to stabilize the finances of Downstate Medical Center," said President John Williams, who described the center as a "hidden jewel of the SUNY system."

The re-vote was scheduled just days after a Brooklyn judge ruled last week that SUNY trustees' previous vote had violated the Open Meetings Law, which is designed to engage and inform the surrounding community. But even the location of the second vote—40 miles away in Westchester—seemed intended to prevent participation from Brooklynites, said detractors, and many were unsurprised at the board's unanimous decision.

“This is not the first time the SUNY Board has turned a deaf ear to what's in the best interest of our communities,” District Leader Jo Anne Simon told Patch. “While not a surprise, it's a sad commentary on the state of health care in Brooklyn and the closed-minded decision-making process.”

While President Williams stated that closing LICH will preserve "the 8,000 jobs at Downstate Medical Center," roughly 2,000 employees in Cobble Hill could receive layoffs in a matter of days if the vote is approved by the Department of Health. South Brooklyn would also lose 16 fully equipped operating rooms and the only stroke center in the borough.

Caregivers and supporters plan to hold a candlelight vigil in front of the hospital at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. But they are not saying goodbye yet.

“LICH is open for care—and our fight to keep it open is just beginning,” said Jill Furillo, RN, Executive Director of the New York State Nurses Association in a release. “NYSNA nurses will do whatever it takes to save our hospital. Every day we keep LICH open, we save lives.”

Registered nurse Julie Semente stated at the rally that activists are also calling upon Governor Andrew Cuomo to find an alternative solution. Meanwhile, Sen. Daniel Squadron urged the Department of Health to listen to the thousands of petitions signed on behalf of the hospital.

"It is clear that closing LICH makes no sense,” said Squadron. “DOH can and must ensure that the needs of our community and all of Brooklyn are met."

George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU, echoed that sentiment: "Because LICH is in a thriving neighborhood and is highly utilized by local residents, we believe that this vital hospital could remain open with the right planning, management and vision.”