De Blasio Sues SUNY, Calls Mayor's Silence On LICH 'Disgusting'

Could SUNY Downstate officials face imprisonment for refusing to admit patients to Long Island College Hospital for the past month? Prosecutors from the Office of the Public Advocate's legal team argue yes.

"The judge is considering financial penalties against SUNY officials [for violating a temporary restraining order],” said Public Advocate and mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio in a Tuesday evening press conference. The judge is also referring the case to the District Attorney for possible criminal charges related to denied medical care.

According to the lawsuit filed by de Blasio, citing New York Public Health Law 2805-b (2)(a), "In cities with a population of one million or more, a general hospital shall provide emergency medical care and treatment to all persons in need of such care and treatment who arrive at the entrance to such hospital therefor. Any general hospital which fails to provide such treatment shall be guilty of a misdemeanor." 

Law also states that any person who interferes with an individual seeking treatment and prevents them from seeing a physician could face imprisonment of up to a year and a fine of up to $1,000.

At least one EMT worker interviewed on NY1 has stated he witnessed such diversions at LICH occur multiple times over the last month.

But SUNY officials aren't the only ones being taken to task for the dire situation facing the Cobble Hill hospital. Critics are also pointing fingers at Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who have both remained silent since last week's attempted closure.

Community groups say neither of the electeds have heard their requests to maintain the local hospital or acknowledged the increased risk neighbors will face in a medical emergency without one.

"If you're in that life and death situation, if you are moments away from death and your own mayor can't lift a finger to help you? That's disgusting and that gets us nowhere in this city," said de Blasio at Tuesday's press conference.

Justice Johnny Lee Baynes has ordered SUNY to preserve all emails, texts and documentation regarding the hospital’s closure for review. 

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