Dear Editor:
It is distressing that some people choose to view Mayor Roberts’ plan to save St. Mary Hospital through a purely political lens.
Here is reality: If St. Mary Hospital were to close, there would never be another hospital in Hoboken. The 35,000 patients who go every year to its emergency room would need to go somewhere else, which would be difficult since our neighboring hospitals often must “divert” patients during peak periods. Many people would simply not go for the care they need and get much sicker.
More than 600 children in crisis with acute psychiatric problems would not have anywhere to go in Hudson County. No other hospital has the physical space or capital to replace our Child Crisis Intervention Services. Do you know what it’s like to be faced with a child in such a crisis? Where would you go?
More than 50 primary care doctors currently practicing in our community were trained at St. Mary Hospital. Without St. Mary there would be a loss of 24 residents per year. Every community needs doctors. Where would we get them?
If you have medical insurance and a car you have the option to drive to the suburbs or New York for care. Many people, especially thousands of elderly, do not.
Granted, the economic implications for our city and its taxpayers need to be carefully considered and openly discussed. I own a home in this city and pay taxes too! But, so do the serious impacts of a closure of St. Mary Hospital. The risks of developing a first-rate hospital under the proven leadership of Harvey Holzberg far outweigh the dire healthcare – and economic – consequences that would result from closing. Just look at what happened when St. Elizabeth, a community hospital in Dayton, Ohio, closed. Research found that the loss of access to primary care alone cost the area an additional $18 million a year. Add to that the loss of 1,000 jobs and you can see that closure would also produce a devastating economic impact. The Mayor developed this plan because, in his heart, he knows it’s the right thing to do. The City Council is supporting this plan because, in their hearts, they know it is the right thing to do. We thank them for their leadership.
Rick Evans