Queens Hospital Feels the Effect of Recent Closings

Last month, in a devastating blow to Queens residents and hospital workers, two historic hospitals –
St. John’s Queens Hospital in Elmhurst, and Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica – closed due to bankruptcy. 

In January, Public Advocate Gotbaum, along with Queens Councilmembers and residents, had called upon Governor Paterson and the State Department of Health to rescue the hospitals. Gotbaum warned that the closings would place a much greater burden on surrounding hospitals.

Yesterday, the Daily News reported that Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens is already feeling the effects of these closings. A hospital spokesman said that Mt. Sinai “has experienced nearly a 10% increase in discharges in the month of March.” It is essential that the DOH continue to keep a close watch on Mt. Sinai, and other Queens hospitals, in order to ensure that they are properly funded in the wake of the St. John’s and Mary Immaculate closings.

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