Muhlenberg the talk of mayor's forum

Muhlenberg was much on the minds of those attending Mayor Robinson-Briggs' community forum on Tuesday evening, and a good number turned out, despite short notice by the mayor's public relations machine.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg, crime dominate Plainfield community forum".

Green wants state to hold off on Solaris bonds

Today's Courier features a front-page story where Assemblyman Jerry Green calls on the state to hold off on the planned Solaris bond issue until some 'grievances' are addressed.

Dan Damon has a link to the story along with his observations over at PLAINFIELD TODAY.

See more here: "Jerry Green: Hold off on Solaris bonds"

Muhlenberg in study on 'preventable' hospital stays

Though Solaris has closed Muhlenberg, the hospital figures in a just-released study on preventable hospital stays.

A front-page story in today's Courier reports details of the study, which covers Union, Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

Read more here: "Central Jersey hospitals lauded on low rate of preventable patient stays".

What's next for Muhlenberg?

A front-page story in Saturday's Courier details the surrender of Muhlenberg's license by Solaris yesterday.

Dan Damon links to the story and comments on what's likely next over at PLAINFIELD TODAY.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg: License surrendered, dismemberment next?"

Strokes: In Muhlenberg service area, quick thinking may not be enough

Today's Asbury Park Press reports on how the quick response of a carpenter's workmates while he was having a stroke AND the fact that they were working on the grounds of a hospital at the very time helped save the man's life.

Knowing that someone having a stroke in the Muhlenberg service area of Plainfield and the surrounding towns will have to a) wait for an ambulance that can take who knows how long, and b) be transported -- 20-25 minutes? more? -- to a 'nearby' hospital, cannot be comforting news.

Especially given the importance of the time factor, as the story points out.

Read more here: "Quick thinking saved stroke victim's life".

Muhlenberg closing still open issue for residents

Writing in today's Courier, reporter Mark Spivey covers the issues raised at Monday night's Plainfield City Council meeting by supporters and Council members.

Read more here: "Muhlenberg's closing still open issue for Plainfield residents".

FLASH: Colvin on 101.5 at 9:10 AM - Today!!

Muhlenberg supporter Rev. Jim Colvin will be on 101.5 at 9:10 AM this morning.

Jim was invited as a result of talk show host Jim Gearhart's receipt of a copy of the letter from Jim and Sarah published in the August 7 Westfield Leader (see bottom of this item).

The call-in number for 101.5 is (800) 283-1015.

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Westfield Leader, August 7, 2008

Letter of Revs. Jim and Sarah Colvin

Taxpayers Pay for Questionable
Hospital Closings in New Jersey

Thanks for your coverage of Muhlenberg.

The only entities who benefit from the closing of a hospital are the large corporations that close them. Gov. Jon Corzine must be pleased that his friends at the top of the economic food chain benefit so handsomely. Catholic Health East of Pa. will receive $252 million in low cost bonds issued by the state as it takes over St. Michel’s in Newark, and the issuer may well be Corzine’s alma mater, Goldman Sachs. (Goldman Sachs is listed as a possible issuer in the NJ Hospitals and Facilities Authority bulletin). For the first six years, we taxpayers will shell out $8.8 million per year, then theoretically the company will take over payments, although we remain on the hook for the duration.

Solaris Health Systems, who declared Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center insolvent and convinced Corzine and his Health Commissioner, Heather Howard, to close this essential urban hospital, will benefit greatly from the closing. At first, Solaris applied for $70 million to close Muhlenberg. Now the number has magically increased to $160 million — an astonishing figure that could be used to maintain the hospital for another ten years! We taxpayers have a right to see just what the $160 million is intended to do.

Instead, Solaris is trying to cash in at the expense of state taxpayers and at the same time selling off as much of the property as possible. (It is valued at over $90 million.) Solaris must be drooling in wait of the day when they can shut down all operations in Plainfield and cash in to support bloated executive salaries. CEO John McGee makes $652,000 on the books and who knows how much from his other business dealings partnering with local politicians.

Corzine should be held accountable for these amoral shenanigans that end up endangering people by depriving them of healthcare. Not surprisingly, most of them are located in poor urban areas with large minority populations.

We pray for the day when Corzine holds no public office and Solaris is out of the healthcare business — and for the day when healthcare is seen as a human right rather than a source of profit for the few.

Revs. James and Sarah Colvin
United Church of Christ, Plainfield