One of New Jersey’s largest academic medical centers is preparing to transfer most of the hospital’s key services elsewhere, leaving locals with “a shell of the current services,” according to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone.
Monmouth Medical Center, a 513-bed facility in Long Branch owned by RWJ Barnabas Health, plans to transfer its labor and delivery services, acute care in-patient beds, and the hospital’s license to a new facility in Tinton Falls.
Pallone said Friday he was aware of the plans because he was initially involved in a proposal to allow for a new hospital to be built in Tinton Falls, while keeping Long Branch a full-scale acute care hospital.
The congressman said that “RWJ Barnabas originally accepted the plan but then changed it at the prompting of the Acting State Health Commissioner, and ultimately the Governor. It is their fault this is happening, but they have the power to stop it.”
The office of Gov. Phil Murphy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday morning, nor did a spokeswoman for RWJ Barnabas Health.
Pallone said the state health department deemed the hospital’s application to transfer services complete the previous day, on Thursday.
But the plan doesn’t go into effect immediately.
Pallone said the hospital system and the state health department must hold separate public hearings before a final decision is rendered within 120 days.
The New Jersey Department of Health did not immediately return a request for comment.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.