Interfaith Medical Center gets Reprieve from State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2013
Contact:
Eliza Bates, NYSNA, eliza.bates@nysna.org, 917-565-2976
Robert Hadley, 1199SEIU, Robert.hadley@1199.org, 646-627-0382
Bed-Stuy hospital to remain open for care up until March 7th, 2014
(Brooklyn, NY) Interfaith Medical Center, a Central Brooklyn hospital that is a the lifeline of care for more than 175,000 Brooklyn residents, got a reprieve today when the state committed to funding the hospital up until March 7th, 2014. In the meantime, state and local elected officials, along with community groups and unions are working to secure federal funding to find a long term solution to keep the hospital, which is in bankruptcy proceedings, from being shuttered.
Bedford-Stuyvesant is a federally designated Health Professional Shortage area, and one of the community districts served by Interfaith has an infant mortality rate twice the citywide average. If Interfaith were to close, Central Brooklyn residents would have even more difficulty getting the care they need.
"We're pleased by Gov. Cuomo's action today, and look forward to working with the state, our partners at NYSNA, and all stakeholders to secure federal funding for a long-term plan to keep Interfaith open for care," said 1199SEIU political director Kevin Finnegan.
“This is a victory for the 175,000 Brooklyn patients that depend on Interfaith for care,” said NYSNA Executive Director Jill Furillo, RN. “This would not have been possible without the tireless work of our coalition, including 1199SEIU, longtime healthcare advocates, community leaders, and elected allies. We applaud this step by the governor. Our coalition will continue to work with the state in every way possible to secure federal funding so that we can keep Interfaith open as a sustainable full-service hospital for the long-run.”
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The New York State Nurses Association is the voice for more than a hundred thousand frontline nurses. We are New York's largest union and professional association for registered nurses.
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
Robert J. Hadley
Communications Coordinator, New Organizing
New York & New Jersey regions
1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
330 W. 42nd St. 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212.603.0016 (O)
646.627.0382 (C)
212.603.1773 (F)