NYC ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL MUST BE SAVED

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Keep St. Vincent's Emergency Room
and
Outpatient Services!

Statement By NYS Assembly Health Committee Chair
Richard N. Gottfried On The Planned Closing Of St. Vincent's Hospital
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St. Vincents Hospital

"While I am dismayed that St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan has announced it will be closing its inpatient units, I am encouraged by Governor Paterson's statement expressing the importance of ensuring that 'the health care needs of this community are met by creating an urgent care center combined with other vital health care services the community needs.' "After many months -- years, really -- of efforts to stave off closure, the Hospital, the Governor, the State Department of Health, the Hospital's workers and their union Local 1199, the Hospital's creditors, potential partners, the local elected officials, and the community have made extraordinary efforts to find alternatives to save the inpatient services the community has relied on for 160 years. "The communities served by St. Vincent's must not be left without 24/7 access to care when an emergency strikes. "We must all work together to keep open the emergency room, as well as to continue the outpatient community services and primary care that are critical to the well-being of the neighborhood."

Editors Note: Though I get my medical care up at Jacoby Hospital in the Bronx, because of their very fine doctors, St. Vincent's is a huge importance to the West Village and all of New York City. I remember when Aids first came out and this hospital was at the forefront of the battle to help. When Sept. 11th hit us, this hospital was ready and able to treat everyone that needed urgent care. St. Vincent's has been around for over 160 years helping New Yorkers. We can not afford to lose this very important hospital. Nag and hound your politicians to save this very important New York institution.