Assemblyman Says Hospital Operator Already Reneging on Deal Struck to Allow Muhlenberg to Close
(Plainfield) – Assemblyman Jerry Green today blasted Solaris Health Systems for what he said was the company’s failure to abide by an agreement it struck with State health officials to ensure residents adversely impacted by Muhlenberg Hospital’s closing would still have access to medical care.
As part of an August 2008 agreement to allow Muhlenberg’s closing as an acute-care facility, Solaris promised State Health Commissioner Heather Howard that it would implement a transportation plan – among other measures – to ensure patient’s access to emergency care at JFK Medical Center in Edison and Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth.
Green said he has received complaints from the community that Solaris is not living up to the agreement. The Plainfield City Counsel also recently passed a resolution calling on Howard to hold Solaris to its deal.
“It’s becoming obvious that Commissioner Howard needs to bring Solaris back to the table and make sure they understand in no uncertain terms their obligation to the community,” said Green. “We cannot have closures unless and until all the lingering issues and doubts over Solaris are put to rest. And, the way things are going now, I fear an innocent life is going to be left in limbo and lost before we reach that point.”
Green noted that North Plainfield’s borough council also recently passed a resolution calling on Solaris to live up to its agreements with the State.
Green said that State officials should also put on hold Solaris’ efforts to obtain up to $170 million in Hospital Asset Transformation Program bonds until all the issues swirling around Muhlenberg are cleared.
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