The area’s basic headlines 24 hours after the meeting read, ‘Hackensack University Medical Center, another step closer to reopening a community hospital.’ The State Health Planning Board (SHPB) voted 5-1 at the Nov. 29 meeting, recommending Commissioner Mary O’Dowd approve HUMC’s Certificate of Need (CN) application, in combination with the DOH staff report’s 13 recommendations. TO READ MORE, click here
December 12, 2011
November 15, 2011
The Final Step
On Nov. 29 the State’s Health Planning Board will hold its 2nd and final meeting at 9:30 AM in the East Windsor at the Holiday Inn National Conference Center, located at 399 Monmouth St. Final comments will be heard as to whether or not a new 128-bed hospital should reopen at the Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) site in Westwood. TO READ MORE, click here
October 16, 2011
Certificate of Need, Public Hearing – Oct. 19th
The Department of Health Planning Board will hold a public hearing Wednesday, October 19th in the auditorium at Westwood Regional High School in Washington Township. Its purpose will be to hear testimony from the public as to whether a hospital of any sort is needed in Westwood. It’s a procedural activity in the Certificate of Need (CN) process. It IS NOT an assurance of any affirmative decision. TO READ MORE, click here
May 25, 2011
New CN Call: Prima Facie or Ultra Vires
Is the foreplay over? HUMC withdrew its legal challenge over the Permit Extension Act (PEA) and its’ application to the expired PVH license. Valley and Englewood Hospital had their appellate motions, to void the DOH’s new ‘Certificate of Need’ (CN) call for a new Westwood hospital, denied. — Now what? TO READ MORE, click here
April 11, 2011
Moving Forward
The end run has been set. Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) received notification from the DOH that its request for a certificate of need call, for a “new” general acute care hospital, has been accepted. (Click HERE to read article.) The process will run concurrently while HUMC’s lawsuit challenges the DOH’s other decision in which Pascack Valley Hospital’s (PVH) license was declared dead December 2009. It’s an irony spawned by politics and legal maneuvers while the Rome of public need burns.
TO READ MORE, click here
December 28, 2009
Sunset of Hope
The rhetoric of the political status quo failed to produce an outcome that meets the public’s need. What a surprise. Effective today—Pascack Valley Hospital’s (PVH) extended ‘certificate of need’ (CN) tentatively expires. TO READ MORE, click here
November 9, 2009
A Rational Decision Required
DOH had extended the PVH Certificate of Need (CN) in 2007, initially acknowledging a hospital was needed in the northeast corner of the State. Unfortunately the only applicant, HUMC, had withdrawn its request before a decision could be made. Purportedly they believed a negative decision would be driven by political concerns over need, and wanted to enhance their application’s foundation for approval. TO READ MORE, click here
August 25, 2009
Emotion In Motion Is Not Action
“Hospital executives in this State have an obligation to examine the needs of their communities and meet with neighboring hospitals in an effort to right size the care available.” Suzanne Ianni, President and CEO of the Hospital Alliance of New Jersey in testimony before the Commission on Rationalizing Health Care resources, April 30, 2007. TO READ MORE, click here
June 29, 2009
Miles or Speed
July 23rd, 9:30 AM, is the date and time for Bergen County hospitals’ version of a ‘Thriller in Manila.’ The fight card has the power punching of HUMC and Legacy vs. the opposition bolo punching skills of Valley and Englewood Hospital. The outcome for the contestants will determine the primary market rights to an arena of 100,000 plus patients and money. For the Pascack and Northern Valley audience, it will define accessible healthcare in geographic terms for trauma patients. TO READ MORE, click here
June 22, 2009
Tantrum vs. Reason
Idiocy! Valley and Englewood Hospital excel in defining the word as they continue their opposition against a reopened hospital in Westwood. Their rhetoric is simple and passionate as it is empty and unreasoned. TO READ MORE, click here
June 15, 2009
June 8th Meeting — Passionate On Need
Last Monday evening’s public meeting on the status of PVH’s CN transfer approval, was another step in State process for reopening a hospital in Westwood. It was well attended by supporters with a minority showing of bused in opposition. TO READ MORE, click here
October 6, 2008
Hospital Choice: Cartel Demands or Public Needs
When Pascack Valley Hospital (PVH) first declared bankruptcy, imagine the various possibilities contemplated by developers that viewed the site. Consider the anxieties aroused in concerned area seniors and families heading into the PVH bankruptcy sale last May. Now we have the apprehension for fresh probabilities or “what-ifs.” — Touro pulled out. HUMC advised its intent to enhance accessible health resources; and the new Englewood and Valley Hospital cartel pledged to fight any hospital reopening. TO READ MORE, click here
