UPDATED HPAE PRESS RELEASE on HRH Closure of its Jersey City Hospital

Demanding immediate state action to halt illegal closure of Christ Hospital, healthcare advocates and elected leaders blast HRH for risking patients’ lives and caregivers’ jobs.

Hudson Regional Health has notified their employees of their intent to close Christ Hospital, renamed Heights University Hospital, by 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026. This is the latest in a series of unlawful and unconscionable actions taken by HRH as they abandon their promise to provide healthcare for the people of Jersey City.

“We strongly urge the Department of Health, the Governor and the Attorney General to step in to save Christ Hospital from being shut down. This employer has repeatedly violated laws and any penalty has failed to dissuade them from taking further illegal action. It seems that their business ventures come first even if it may put patients’ lives at risk. Our union members and the patients they care for need Governor Sherrill to intervene immediately and take action to stop the closure,” HPAE President Debbie White, RN, said.

“The private operator of Christ Hospital has failed to follow the rules governing their license. If they are to close the facilities that still remain open with just two days’ notice, this is a clear violation of the public trust and their obligations to their patients under the law. The New Jersey Attorney General, New Jersey Department of Health, and the City of Jersey City have no choice but to intervene on behalf of the residents of the City and immediate environs. They each have the authority, under different statutes and the common law, to act together to stop the closure of the emergency room and other essential services,  appoint a receiver, and force the owners to continue to provide services until they complete the Certificate of Need process. We call on them to file immediately for an injunction in the courts,” New Jersey Appleseed Executive Director Renee Steinhagen, Esq., said.

“HRH’s actions are unacceptable. Healthcare in our community is non-negotiable, and I’m  committed to fighting for a Christ Hospital that serves our neighbors and provides dignified jobs for our healthcare workers. Let’s use every tool in our disposal as a city, county, our disposal as a city, county, and state to take over Christ Hospital and run it for working class people. As we get there, HPAE and 1199J have my full support in their struggle to make their members whole,” Jersey City Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros said.

“HRH’s actions are unacceptable. Healthcare in our community is non-negotiable, and I’m  committed to fighting for a Christ Hospital that serves our neighbors and provides dignified jobs for our healthcare workers. Let’s use every tool in our disposal as a city, county, and state to take over Christ Hospital and run it for working class people. As we get there, HPAE and 1199J have my full support in their struggle to make their members whole,” Jersey City Ward D Councilman Jake Ephros said.

“Our concern is for all residents of Jersey City and their safety. We have an increasing population and now being faced with only one operational hospital. This puts all our lives at risk. Christ Hospital has been an anchor in this community. Since 1872, Christ Hospital has provided care to generations of Jersey City and Union City families. The institution is a cherished and invaluable community resource that has sustained and nurtured us. We cannot bear to lose it. Our community deserves access to quality medical services and emergency care. We urge state officials to step in and stop the closure and find a resolution to support a fully functioning hospital,” Linda Kerly of Sgt. Anothony Park Neighborhood Association said.

“Hudson Regional Health told us they had the plan and the money to save Christ Hospital. They lied. They broke faith with this community, violated the law, and now they want to rip away the last remaining emergency services from the people of Jersey City with barely 48 hours’ notice. I am calling on Governor Sherrill and the Attorney General to file for an immediate injunction to stop this closure and to appoint a receiver to ensure that emergency care continues. The residents of Jersey City — especially our most vulnerable — deserve better than being abandoned by a private operator chasing profits,” Rolando R Lavarro Jr., Councilman-At-Large said.

HRH stated in bankruptcy court that they had sufficient funds to acquire and successfully operate the then bankrupt CarePoint system, including Christ Hospital. Hudson Regional stated they had a plan and the financial stability to create a thriving system. This closure of Christ Hospital, while breaking faith with the community and their employees, is the culmination of a series of illegal actions that HRH has taken.

For more information, contact: Michael Allen, (646) 436-7556.

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