Pardon Me For Asking: State Denies L.I.C.H.'s Request To Close Their Obstetrics, Neonatal & Pediatric Services

Citing financial trouble, Continuum Health Partners, recently announced the closing of several departments within the hospital, including the Maternity and the Pediatric Unit. This move seemed odd given the fact that there are more pregnant women and small children the downtown Brooklyn area than anywhere in the city. In addition, massive lay-offs have been announced at the hospital. This slow but purposeful dismantling of vital hospital services seemed to point at one thing: Continuum wants to close L.I.C.H., sell off its real estate assets and transfer the money to its Manhattan hospitals. Now the state has put a stop to those plans.
Maybe L.I.C.H. can move forward after all...

State orders hospital to continue OB services
From Crain's New York By Gale Scott

Published: November 18, 2008 - 5:59 am

Citing Brooklyn's shortage of maternity beds and pediatric care, the State Department of Health has denied Continuum Health Partners' request to end obstetrics, neonatal and pediatric services at Long Island College Hospital. The department has also ordered the hospital to continue running several school-based health clinics that the hospital wanted to close at the end of the year.

At the same time, state health officials approved a $3 million loan to the hospital, money available for hospitals that want to restructure to meet the mandates of the Berger Commission, the Pataki administration panel that targeted hospitals for downsizings, closures and mergers.

In a letter delivered Monday afternoon to Long Island College Hospital's interim chief executive officer, Dominick Stanzione, health department Deputy Commissioner James Clyne says those services are needed sorely in Brooklyn.
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