Westfield Leader: State moves closer to Muhlenberg shutdown

The Westfield Leader's holiday weekend edition has a major story reporting on the Health Planning Board's meeting and recommendation to Commissioner Heather Howard.

Read more of the Leader here: "Westfield Leader".

The story on the meeting and vote can be found HERE (PDF).

'Save Muhlenberg' in July 4 Parade

The 'Save Muhlenberg' troops turned out in good fashion, complete with a float, in the annual July 4th Parade.

Petitions to Commissioner Heather Howard were circulated.

Reminder from the group:

Monday - July 7. 6:30 PM. Save Muhlenberg Meeting. 'Save Muhlenberg' participants plan next steps. Anyone with petitions to Commissioner Heather Howard circulated at the July 4 Parade is asked to bring them to the meeting. At duCret School of the Arts, 1030 Central Avenue.

Dr. Yood: Burden is on Solaris to make amends

Plainfield's Dr. Harold Yood, also known as blogger 'olddoc', has an excellent letter in today's Courier.

Read more here: "Burden is on Solaris to make amends for Muhlenberg".

Muhlenberg: Solaris moves 3 units to JFK

Muhlenberg supporters at State Board vote meeting.

Denying it is 'jumping the gun' on its closure plan for Muhlenberg, Solaris announced three units are being shifted to JFK, in a front-page story in today's Courier.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg begins transferring services".

Solaris spokesman Steven Weiss describes the moves as "physician-prompted", which certainly should certainly win him a Pulitzer nomination for creative torturing of the English language.

As it has been related to me, Solaris has lured the doctors down to JFK by refusing to schedule OR time at Muhlenberg, instead offering JFK privileges. Of carrots and sticks, you know...

-- Dan Damon

PNHC's expectant mothers and Trinitas

In a front-page story in today's Courier, Plainfield Health Center CEO Rudine Smith touts the partnership with Trinitas for maternity services to its expectant mothers.

Read more here: "Maternity services extended to Muhlenberg's expectant patients"

While the transportation issues are mentioned, I think they are going to turn out to be more serious than PHC and Trinitas are letting on. Why else would the CoN have had so many transportation concessions added to it.

Meanwhile, everyone waits on Madame Defarge (alias Commissioner Heather Howard).

Editorial: Enough time for a miracle?

Today's Courier editorializes on the worthy but uphill battle by supporters to keep Muhlenberg a full-service hospital.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg: Enough time for a miracle?".

Muhlenberg Supporters: Healthcare, Not Warfare!

An email passed along by the 'Save Muhlenberg' network -- Rally is today, 11 AM.

The fight is far from over. Everyone of us succeeded the minute we chose to do anything rather than just sit there & let it happen. Now it is even more urgent to get those who said that they were interested in buying the hospital & running it to remain active. I am concerned about what Cathy had added about the license to the CN. I think that her condition might be helpful but perhaps I am wrong.

If I am understanding what she said at the hearing speciality hospitals do not have to treat everyone. They can turn people away. Her stipulation was that the license has to be keep as a full service acute care hospital specifically so that no one can come in and buy it at a discount to make a "medical mall".

It is also very important for everyone to see the connection this issue has to race & class. As we live with what is going to be our "Great Depression" elected officials (Jon Corzine) brag about the largest budget cut in the history of the state of NJ. They allow NJ's National Guard to be deployed again!!!!! Many of these men & women are serving their 3rd tour of duty!!!!!!

And as they do this our elected "representatives" are planing their attack on Iran. (If you think $4.00 a gallon is a lot to pay for gas just wait till they attack Iran!)

Don't put your hopes in elected officials. Put your hope in your selves and each other. Don't let your activism stop now.

The next step is to join us Saturday in front of the Military recruitment office in downtown Plainfield at 11 AM. It is on Front Street at Park Ave. Just 3 storefronts down from where we had our protest recently where we marched in the street.

HEALTHCARE NOT WARFARE!