How a hospital dispute could derail a judgeship

by: Jason Springer

Wed Dec 30, 2009 at 02:45:00 PM EST

As if there hadn't already been enough politics played with the nomination of Ed McBride for a judgeship by the Republicans, now he may get caught up in a fight over a hospital. First the story of the hospital:

State Health Commissioner Heather Howard has denied a request from Hackensack University Medical Center to extend the license for a hospital at the former Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood. That license is due to expire on Monday.
The Permit Extension Act of 2008, intended to help developers whose projects were stalled by the recession, does not apply in the case of the Pascack Valley Hospital license, Howard wrote in a letter to the medical center's attorney.
Hackensack had asked for another year, under the act, to have its application to open a 128-bed community hospital in Westwood heard by the State Health Planning Board. An extension would have allowed the issue to be decided by the next health commissioner, one who will be appointed by Governor-elect Chris Christie. Christie made a campaign promise to support the reopening.

But Wally Edge says that while many have expressed their displeasure with the decision, Senator Sarlo may hold a grudge and take it out on the Governor's nominee for a judgeship:

The state Health Department, reportedly with McBride's approval, yesterday refused to give Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) more time to re-open Pascack Valley Hospital. That decision angered some key Bergen County political leaders, including State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge). Sources say that McBride, nominated to a Superior Court judgeship earlier this month, could be collateral damage from the ruling. Sarlo issued a strongly worded press release slamming the Department of Health and outgoing Commissioner Heather Howard, and he might express his outrage by not posting McBride's judicial nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee - which he will chair until the end of the current legislative session on January 12.

I have no idea what sources Wally has for this or whether it would actually happen. There may be other factors Sarlo is considering in taking his stand:

Sarlo sponsored the Permit Extension Act and is an executive with a construction firm owned by Joseph M Sanzari, the first vice-chairman of Hackensack's board of governors.

Neither hospital is even in Sarlo's district. Hackensack Medical Center is in the 37th district and the proposed hospital would be in the 39th, while Sarlo represents the 36th. Regardless of the problems Paul Sarlo has with the hospital decision, McBride's judgeship should be looked at on it's merits. I'll let others decide whether he has the merits and Paul Sarlo is one of those that gets a say. But he has a job to do as Judiciary chairman. He has a vote in the committee and if he's so mad about the closure of the hospital, he can vote no. And as of the initial agenda released, McBride is not posted for a vote.

Jason Springer :: How a hospital dispute could derail a judgeship