File #: Res 1738-2013    Version: * Name: State University of NY and the NYS Dept of Health to work with stakeholders to pursue the acquisition of Long Island College Hospital (LICH).
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 4/25/2013
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Health to work with stakeholders to pursue the acquisition of Long Island College Hospital (LICH) by another health care institution to preserve critical health care services for the community, and to ensure that all resources gained from any sale or transfer of LICH assets are used exclusively for the preservation of these services; and authorizing the Speaker to file or join amicus briefs on behalf of the Council in support of the preservation of such services.
Sponsors: Brad S. Lander, Stephen T. Levin, Inez E. Dickens, Lewis A. Fidler, James F. Gennaro, Vincent J. Gentile, Sara M. Gonzalez, David G. Greenfield, Letitia James, Andy L. King, Darlene Mealy, Rosie Mendez, Albert Vann, Jumaane D. Williams, Ruben Wills, Deborah L. Rose
Council Member Sponsors: 16
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Testimony, 3. Hearing Transcript, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 4-25-13
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
4/25/2013*Brad S. Lander City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
4/25/2013*Brad S. Lander City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/25/2013*Brad S. Lander City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/24/2013*Brad S. Lander Committee on Health Hearing on P-C Item by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
4/24/2013*Brad S. Lander Committee on Health P-C Item Approved by CommPass Action details Meeting details Not available
Preconsidered Res. No. 1738
 
 
Resolution calling on the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Health to work with stakeholders to pursue the acquisition of Long Island College Hospital (LICH) by another health care institution to preserve critical health care services for the community, and to ensure that all resources gained from any sale or transfer of LICH assets are used exclusively for the preservation of these services; and authorizing the Speaker to file or join amicus briefs on behalf of the Council in support of the preservation of such services.
 
 
By Council Members Lander, Levin, Dickens, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Gonzalez, Greenfield, James, King, Mealy, Mendez, Vann, Williams, Wills and Rose
 
Whereas, For more than 150 years, Long Island College Hospital ("LICH") has been a critical part of the Brooklyn healthcare system; and
Whereas, LICH provides medical care for over 100,000 patients a year and employs more than 2,000 people; and
Whereas, Closing LICH will negatively impact the delivery of healthcare in Brooklyn, especially for residents of the communities surrounding the hospital, including Red Hook, a neighborhood specifically designated as a "Health Professional Shortage Area" by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and
Whereas, LICH is part of the State University of New York ("SUNY") Downstate Medical Center; and
Whereas, LICH has faced financial difficulties for years and, on February 20, 2013, the President of SUNY Downstate Medical Center, John F. Williams, M.D., submitted a plan to the New York State Department of Health ("DOH") to close LICH; and
Whereas, According to Part Q of Chapter 56 of the Laws of New York, signed on March 28, 2013, the Chancellor of SUNY is required to submit a sustainability plan for SUNY Downstate facilities on or before June 1, 2013, which must be approved by the DOH Commissioner and the New York State Director of the Division of Budget for implementation by June 15, 2013; and
Whereas, In the development of this plan the bill states that the SUNY Chancellor "shall consult with labor representatives, community representatives, and other regional stakeholders"; and
Whereas, In accordance with this law, SUNY and DOH should engage with stakeholders to develop a plan that preserves critical health care services at LICH; and
Whereas, SUNY and DOH should ensure that any resources from the sale or transfer of LICH real estate or any other LICH assets should be used exclusively for the continuation of critical health care services for the community, rather than for the budget of another institution; and
Whereas, SUNY and DOH should explore all options to preserve critical health care services for the community, including the acquisition of the LICH campus by another health care institution; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the State University of New York and the New York State Department of Health to work with stakeholders to pursue the acquisition of Long Island College Hospital (LICH) by another health care institution to preserve critical health care services for the community, and to ensure that all resources gained from any sale or transfer of LICH assets are used exclusively for the preservation of these services; and authorizing the Speaker to file or join amicus briefs on behalf of the Council in support of the preservation of such services.
 
 
CGP
LS # 4693
4/22/13