Memorializing Long Island College Hospital With Legislation
State Sen. Daniel Squadron and Assemblymember-elect Jo Anne Simon utilized the Long Island College Hospital acronym, (LICH), yesterday to introduce their proposed legislation requiring more community input before any more hospitals are closed.
The bill dubbed the Local Input in Community Healthcare (LICH) Act, would establish a clear, transparent, and community-oriented process when hospitals are threatened. It would mandate the state Department of Health only approve a hospital closure application if the needs of the community and impacted stakeholders, including access to emergency medical care, can be adequately met.
Additionally the bill would not allow the DOH Commissioner to close a hospital without a significant and thorough community input process dictated by a statutorily imposed timeline.
The legislation comes after the proposed closure of LICH (the hospital) ended up in court for nearly two years, during which the judge said that the current regulation governing hospital closures is “unconstitutionally vague.” The court proceeding made clear that there was no process for determining the healthcare impact of the hospital’s closure on the community or Brooklyn.
“This bill would ensure that there’s never another situation like LICH,” said Squadron. “Today, there is no confidence for communities that medical needs are taken care of when a hospital closure is threatened. This bill would ensure that a community’s healthcare needs and the viability of the institution are core questions when hospitals are threatened.”
“We need this law to ensure that when it comes to providing vital healthcare services the community’s voice is heard and their needs are addressed,” said Simon.
The closure of LICH the hospital was a cause celebre for elected officials including a much media covered arrest of the then mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio.
Also at the announcement of the proposed bill or getting words in on the press release were Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, Borough President Eric Adams, Congressmember Nydia M. Velazquez, state Sen. Marty Dilan, and City Council Members Carlos Menchaca, Stephen Levin and Brad Lander.
Dan Doctoroff Rumored to Be Eyeing Mayoral Run
Rumor has it that former Mayor Mike Bloomberg‘s right hand man, Dan Doctoroff is looking to run for mayor in three years.
Doctoroff, like Bloomberg, comes from Wall Street. He also served as both deputy mayor in Bloomberg’s first term before leaving to run the former mayor’s company Bloomberg LP.
Doctoroff could not be reached to confirm or deny the rumors at press time.
Lawmakers Butt Heads With De Blasio Over Senior Center
State and city lawmakers are planning to overstep Mayor de Blasio in their efforts to save a 40-year-old Williamsburg community center if he doesn’t support using eminent domain, DNAInfo reported.
Assemblyman Joseph Lentol is leading the effort to save the Swinging Sixties Senior Center, 211 Ainslie Street in Willaimsburg, and said he plans to reintroduce a bill in January allowing the government to buy the center using eminent domain.
The building was sold for $4.5 million about a year ago and the new landlords, father-son duo Victor and Henry Einhorn, already began eviction proceedings.
The website reported Lentol and other elected officials, including a representative from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office, called on de Blasio to support the idea again on Monday.
If de Blasio doesn’t support the use of eminent domain the state will take action, Lentol said.
Also supporting the government takeover of the site are State Senator Martin Dilan, Borough President Eric Adams and City Councilman Anthony Reynoso.
Scheduled Events Today:
11 a.m. – New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer holds press conference to release NYCHA Audit, Farragut Houses, 192 Sands St.
3 p.m. – Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams honors heroes of the month, 209 Joralemon St.
8 p.m. – Stringer and BP Adams hold candlelight vigil with Consul General of Pakistan and members of the Pakistani community, 1090 Coney Island Ave.
8 p.m. – Bay Ridge Democrats host holiday party, Longbow Pub, 7316 3rd Avenue.
