I am deeply saddened by the closing of two Queens hospitals, St. John’s Queens Hospital in Elmhurst and Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica. In January, I joined Queens Councilmembers at City Hall and called on Governor Paterson and the State Department of Health to rescue these hospitals from bankruptcy. Regrettably, no help was provided.
Already, we know that roughly 2,500 hospital workers have lost their jobs as a result of these closings. In an economy where jobs are becoming scarce, this is devastating news to many Queens families.
As for the availability of emergency health services in Queens, several other hospitals will have to bear the burden. If you live in Elmhurst and previously relied upon St. John’s, you can look to Elmhurst Hospital Center, New York Hospital Queens, and Forest Hills Hospital in the future. If you live in Jamaica, Jamaica Hospital and Queens Hospital Center are there to help.
It is vital that Mayor Bloomberg fulfill his promise to send more ambulances to Queens to compensate for these losses. Families are depending on it.
We who live in the area of St John's Queens hospital are now being denied adequate healthcare and access to emergency medical services. An elderly person dining at Zum Stammtish restaurant earlier this week waited 25 minutes for an ambulance after they had begun to experience chest pain and shortness of breath. This is criminal, and we will die waiting for an ambulance, or else succumb trying to get across Broadway to Elmhurst!!!! Our elected officials don't give a flying leap about this, they just want the face time they were given by showing up at the rallies to keep these facilities open. WHAT THE HELL DO WE ELECT PEOPLE FOR IF NOT TO SEE THAT OUR VITAL NEEDS ARE MET???? God help us, 'cause no one else is bothering!!!!!
Posted by: Jean Cacioppo | March 12, 2009 at 01:29 AM
This is pretty devastating. There are many families that are suffering because of this decision, not only because of jobs, but health wise as well.
Posted by: Ajlouny | April 22, 2009 at 11:59 PM
The government is willing to "Bail Out" the auto and banking industry, but there's "No Bail Out For Hospitals" who employ people who save and sustain lives of those in need.
Where's the voice for a "Hospital Bail Out" by our elected officials???
Where's the advoacy for these workers?
Posted by: Mike | December 10, 2009 at 04:34 PM