LICH and Interfaith supporters bring hospital fight to Cuomo’s NYC offices
Interfaith could close December 26
Asking “Where’s Cuomo?” hundreds of advocates of Brooklyn’s Interfaith Medical Center and Long Island College Hospital (LICH) brought the healthcare battle to Governor Cuomo’s front door in New York City late Thursday.
Supporters say that the closure of the two hospitals would be disastrous for Brooklyn.
The rally came just two days after the State University of New York’s (SUNY) board of trustees, in a surprise vote, tabled plans to turn LICH into condos and an urgent care center.
Jill Furillo, Executive Director of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), called on Governor Cuomo to “Do the right thing.”
“We want to make sure that Governor Cuomo hears the voices of Brooklyn patients who could be left without access to care if either Interfaith or LICH closes,” NYSNA spokesperson Eliza Bates told the Brooklyn Eagle on Thursday. “Both Bed-Stuy and Red Hook are already federally designated Health Professional Shortage areas — these communities need more care, not hospital cuts and closures.”