And then (we pray) will reopen with many, but not all, health services.
When news broke out that the only hospital in the Ironbound, Saint James Hospital, would be closing, our community woke up and rose to it’s feet. We were angry. We organized. We fought back. We came to an agreement with Catholic Health East. The agreement, as much as we’re aware, will allow for Saint James Hospital to provide the following services.
- 24-hour emergency care
- basic life support
- basic radiology (x-rays)
- ultrasound
- laboratory services.
- pre-natal care
- regularly scheduled health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other conditions
- Psychiatric inpatient services
We’re proud that the community was able to keep Saint James Hospital open. We only wish the community would do the same and demand that new schools be built. Not next year, but today.
More:
Star Ledger: Ironbound assured of hospital services
Catholic Health East: City of Newark and Catholic Health East Announce Continuing Health Care Services at Saint James Campus
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
On Friday, 14 March 2008, at 5 PM, there will be a public hearing conducted by the state’s public health agency at the Gateway Hilton. It is the day before St. James Hospital is to close but community residents are encouraged to attend the meeting.
As an opponent of the closing, I would like to refer people to 2 web sites: Wherethemoneygoes.com and HospitalProfits.com. Both web sites show how much money Catholic Health East makes as a non-profit organization. In fact, Where the Money repots in an excellent article that CHE is now in the billionaires club which means that CHE can keep both St. James and Columbus open. CHE is in it for the money. Cathedral Health Systems was fined 5.6 million dollars by the Dept. of Justice for overcharging Medicare. Check the DOJ web site. Remember these are religious organizations who are suppose to help the poor and less fortunate but they are in it for the money. Way to go Catholic Archdiocise of Newark!
What we’re seeing at Independence Park is shameful.
It’s starting to look like the jails. Hundreds of men inside of a fenced yard.
Kids are being pushed away from using the park. In the baseball and soccer fields also in the open space. Heard stories that adults are pushing them out the fields by the ears so they can take over.
Why not eliminate the volleyball nets and build a skateboard space for the kids. I know of a few kids that got ran over by cars because the only spaces they have to do tricks on boards are the streets.
Parks are mainly for kids and senior citizens. Let’s take care of our community so we can call in families instead of pushing them away to other towns.
Where’s our local government on looking for citizens needs.
Enough talking more action.
Do not wait for citizen demands, act on your own and let’s see your program when running for office.