Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Memorializing Resolution
Purpose: A resolution in support of principles and goals governing the sale and state review of local community hospitals in Newark and vicinity
Sponsor: President Mildred C. Crump
body
WHEREAS, our community hospitals provide invaluable and irreplaceable health and critical emergency room services to meet the acute health care needs of the residents of Newark, New Jersey and neighboring communities; and provide care to a large number of self-pay, charity care, and Medicaid patients whose health care needs are under-served and under-funded by the State and federal governments; and
WHEREAS, the reorganization and sale of such institutions will affect our community for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, the American healthcare system is undergoing a period of dynamic and transformative change due to the programs of the Affordable Care Act that emphasize the interconnectedness and coordination of hospitals and healthcare providers, such that the business practices of local community hospitals have a direct and immediate impact on community health care as a whole; and
WHEREAS, the united voice of the people of Newark, New Jersey seek strong and sustainable community hospitals that are focused on the delivery of accessible health care based on community need, that produce quality health outcomes, and continue to be a vital part of our regional economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Newark, New Jersey as follows:
1. The Council does hereby express its support to keep local community hospitals in Newark open and operating as acute care hospitals for at least ten years after the sale to and reorganization by any purchasing organization ; and
2. The Council expresses its support for any sale or reorganization of any local community hospital to be an open, public process, with meaningful community participation in the reorganization, planning, and implementation; and
3. The Council expresses its support that the purchaser must maintain staffing levels necessary for safe patient care, honor working place rights of current and future staff and offer training and economic opportunities to the community
4. The Council expresses its support that any future planning for the local community hospital be responsive to the community's health care needs, with a commitment to maintain and improve services that will benefit the members of the community - including preventive care services, obstetric and women's health services, mental health services and elder-care services; and
5. The Council expresses its support that purchasing organizations also commit to work with all community based organizations to improve health behaviors by maintaining clinical programming related to prevention and management of chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease; and
6. The Council expresses its support that any purchaser ensure adequate access to affordable care by participating with insurance networks and maintaining the level of charity care that is appropriate to the community; and
7. The Council expresses its support that purchasing organizations agree to coordinate care with other Newark health care providers and to participate in the regional health foundation organization and other initiatives designed to improve the delivery of care in the Greater Newark area; and
8. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, the Attorney General, the members of the State Legislature representing Newark, NJ, the United States Representatives and Senators representing Newark, New Jersey, the Clerk of the City of Newark, New Jersey, and the Campaign to Protect Community Healthcare.
STATEMENT
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PRINCIPLES AND GOALS GOVERNING THE SALE AND STATE REVIEW OF Local Community Hospitals in Newark and Vicinity