Far Rockaway, NY – “I am stunned that the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services for New York State Department of Health, Dr. Richard Becker, would consider reducing St. John’s Episcopal Hospital’s capacity from 257 beds to 15 and take away obstetric services. This is not an acceptable plan for the only hospital on the Rockaway Peninsula. 

Let me be abundantly clear – our community will not accept this and we deserve a better thought out strategic plan for financial sustainability for safety net hospitals. It is coming up on one year that the New York Times article documented how devastating the COVID-19 Pandemic was to the Rockaways and to think that the best solution would be this, is disrespectful to the individuals and families that live in our community.

This plan is completely inconsistent with any messaging from the NYSDOH about equity and justice in healthcare for historically underserved black and brown communities, and we will not allow this to go forward.”