Plainfield fights to save its hospital

by: DottieG

Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 02:06:55 AM EDT

Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center doesn't just serve Plainfeld--it serves a broad geographic area and is miles away from its nearest counterpart.  It is a full-service hospital with up-to-date facilities and a wonderful professional staff.

And the corporation that owns it wants to shut it down.

About ten years ago it was "acquired" by Solaris Health Systems, which also owns JFK Hospital in Edison.  Since then, Solaris has done what big corporations do to the smaller corporations they acquire--they siphon all the profitable operations out of them, and then put the rest up for sale--deficit and all.  

That's exactly what's been happening.  Several of Muhlenberg's most valuable units have been moved to JFK.  A good example is the pediatric unit--sick children without insurance, covered by the CHIP program, are sent to JFK, but their uninsured parents must rely on Muhlenberg's "charity care."  

Of course, Solaris hasn't found a buyer they're willing to sell to--so now they've applied to the state for permission to close.  They say they'll keep the emergency room and a few other limited facilities open--but there's no guarantee how long that will last.  In any case, Muhlenberg is an essential and highly rated comprehensive hospital, and the area cannot afford to lose it.

The Plainfield community is fighting back, and has been joined by others, including members of the surrounding areas served by Muhlenberg as well as concerned citizens from all over the state. The People's Organization for Progress and its local allies are leading the struggle. On March 1, about 300 people marched and chanted outside the hospital. Two weeks later, the number participating was nearly 1000.  Letters and petitions are being sent to politicans and newspapers.  Signs saying "Save Muhlenberg" are in storefronts and windows all over town.

And on Saturday, April 5, we are taking our protest to Trenton, where we will rally at 12 noon on the steps of the State House.   Buses will be leaving the parking lot at Park Avenue and Randolph Road in Plainfield at 10 am.  Carpooling is encouraged--and people can meet us there!  Participants include local clergy, members of the business community, educators, medical professionals, parents, family members, and community leaders from the tri-county area served by the Medical Center.  And I hope the Blue Jersey community will be there--the availability of quality health care is a priority for all of us.

JOIN US--MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Contact Stuart (908-731-1518) or Mary (732-968-9226) or Dottie (908-668-1149) to get involved.