HOBOKEN – Last week, a report from Gov. Chris Christie’s Transition team came to light, saying Hoboken University Medical Center was going to close in several months. The hospital responded by saying the claim was untrue.
Friday, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer released this statement:
“I am in the process of reaching out to Governor Christie to personally express my Administration’s commitment to working with them to develop a Hudson County regional hospital plan. The hospital provides an essential service to our community, and my administration is fully committed to giving the austerity measures recently implemented, such as a 10 percent wage cut, an opportunity to succeed. I am committed to working with the HUMC Administration, and the board of the hospital, including newly appointed commissioners, to improve financial oversight, implement an austerity budget, and coordinate with the State to work towards a regional county hospital plan.”
A press release from the mayor’s office states:
Soon after getting into office, Mayor Zimmer learned the hospital’s financial situation was considerably more challenging than previously disclosed. “The $7 million award from the Health Care Stabilization Fund provides the City with time to evaluate all options and develop a long term plan,” Zimmer noted. “The operation of the Hospital and the potential liability of the City remains a primary focus of my Administration while we evaluate the financial and operational issues inherited from prior years,” she added.