HPAE Press Release Regarding CarePoint Health Certificate of Need and Bankruptcy Hearing

HPAE Healthcare Workers at CarePoint Hospitals Demand Accountability

In light of the news that CarePoint Health has filed for bankruptcy, HPAE will continue to advocate for its members and their patients to make sure all their rights are protected, and the hospitals remain open.

HPAE is calling on the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) and policymakers to preserve healthcare access for Hudson County residents. HPAE President, Debbie White sent a letter to NJDOH Commissioner Baston in advance of the NJDOH public hearing to be held on November 13th at 6pm regarding the transfer of ownership of Bayonne Medical Center to Hudson Regional Hospitals, LLC. Click here to view the letter sent on Friday, November 1, 2024.

“After years of uncertainty, it is critical that in any transfer of ownership of Bayonne Medical Center or any part of the CarePoint system, the NJ Department of Health must hold the owners accountable to ensure the hospitals remain open and accessible with services intact and available to the communities they serve,” HPAE President Debbie White said. “In addition, whether through the Department or in bankruptcy proceedings union workers in all three hospitals must be recognized along with their respective collective bargaining agreements.”

Regarding the Certificate of Need application that Hudson Regional Hospital has filed to transfer operation of Bayonne Medical Center, HPAE is asking NJDOH to make sure the following conditions are met before the transfer of ownership:

• Bayonne Medical Center must remain a full-service acute care hospital for at least ten years. BMC has served the community since 1888 and is integral to the health and well-being of the city’s residents.
• NJDOH’s current Monitor must stay in place to provide oversight of the hospital’s financial health.
• BMC’s new owners must commit to investing at least $50 million dollars in BMC over a five-year period for working capital and capital expenditures.

Hudson Regional Hospital must retain ownership of the land and buildings where BMC is located. The properties must not become part of a sale/leaseback plan with any other owner.

• All staff must remain employees and be covered by their Collective Bargaining Agreements, preserving benefits and working conditions.
• It is vital that the Bayonne community is given a seat at the table through the creation of a community advisory group that can work with hospital management on issues of concern.
• Bayonne Medical Center’s new owners must commit to enforceable safe staffing ratios to keep patients and workers safe, and not attempt to rely on skeleton crews in order to save money.

“The years of mismanagement has led us to the current state of affairs. Any future plan that falls short of these conditions will be unacceptable and a disservice to the communities in Hudson County,” White said.

For more information visit HPAE Merger Monitor site that includes an overview of the proposed sale and transfer of ownership as well as the bankruptcy proceedings. Hudson Regional Hospital and CarePoint Health Merger – Health Professionals & Allied Employees

For more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556.

www.hpae.org • www.facebook.com/hpae.aft • @hpaeaft • @hpae_aft