Quinn, Squadron, Lander Condemn SUNY Downstate Cuts: 'Outrageous!'

SUNY Downstate officials faced an immediate backlash on the ground and online Thursday after brazenly diverting ambulance service from Long Island College Hospital.

“We have almost daily resignations,” said Dr. Michael Lucchesi, Chief Medical Officer, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Long Island College Hospital in a release. "Thus, ambulances will be diverted from LICH’s Emergency Department by the FDNY and patients from critical care units (ICU and CCU) will be transferred to other hospitals, and for the foreseeable future, no further patients will be admitted to those units."

But health care workers and local electeds cried foul, citing the existing temporary restraining order that mandates SUNY Downstate must maintain all staff and service levels until its fate is resolved.

After a Brooklyn judge called for a contempt hearing, members of the NYSNA took to the streets of Cobble Hill to protest the cuts.

Meanwhile, online politicians expressed their solidarity with the nurses, union members and physicians rallying to restore full services to the struggling hospital.

“SUNY's violation of yesterday's #saveLICH court order is putting lives in jeopardy. The community is standing strong," stated Councilman Brad Lander.

His colleague Council member Stephen Levin echoed those sentiments, writing, “Brooklyn lives are at risk thanks to SUNY's backhanded attempts to shutdown LICH.”

In the capitol, Sen. Daniel Squadron also repeated the rally call.

"I may be in Albany, but I'm standing w the countless folks rallying to #saveLICH," the senator tweeted. "SUNY must reopen #LICH emergency room & stop violating court order."

Mayoral candidate City Council Speaker Christine Quinn also expressed her disdain in a release. 

“It is both outrageous and unsafe that SUNY Downstate shut down Long Island College Hospital’s emergency room this morning,” she said. “This action blatantly disregards the court’s ruling that the hospital maintain a full level of service. Caregivers, community leaders and elected officials have worked tirelessly to save LICH and we will not accept this complete lack of regard for patient safety. This is a vital facility to the community and we demand that SUNY Downstate immediately rescinds its action.”

Those who wish to get involved can call NYS Health Commissioner Shah at 518-474-2011 and request he "Take immediate action to keep Interfaith and LICH open." 

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