Rockaway Residents Finally Get Peninsula Hospital Hearing

Press Release

On Monday, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) announced that Health Commissioner, Dr. Nirav Shah, will participate in a public hearing on Thursday, May 10th, to discuss the impact of the closure of Peninsula Hospital. The announcement came one day after Congressman Bob Turner (NY-09); Councilman Eric A. Ulrich (R-Rockaway Beach); State Senator Malcolm Smith (D- WF); local community leaders; hospital board members; and former hospital employees held a press conference in front of the now-closed Peninsula Hospital Center in Far Rockaway demanding that their request for a public meeting be granted.

"Providing residents with an opportunity to ask questions and get answers is the least the Department of Health can do, not to mention that it is required by law. There are serious questions about how the community's healthcare needs will be met going forward. This meeting is a step in the right direction; however, I am disappointed that the meeting is scheduled from 3:00 P.M. -- 7:00 P.M. Holding the meeting during this time will make it difficult for many hard-working residents to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to address the questions and concerns of the community, as such, it should be scheduled at a time when a majority of residents will be able to attend and have their voices heard," Turner said.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 10th, from 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus located at 333 Beach 90th St., Rockaway Beach, New York 11693.

"The closure of Peninsula Hospital constitutes nothing less than a healthcare emergency for the 130,000 year-round residents of the Rockaway Peninsula. This will only get worse as we approach the summer months," Councilman Ulrich said. "Commissioner Shah needs to explain what the plan is going forward in order to meet Rockaway's healthcare needs. While I welcome the opportunity for this discussion, it comes only after several requests for dialogue have gone ignored, and at a time that is less than convenient for most of the hard-working people of Rockaway. They deserve better."

Congressman Turner and Councilman Ulrich sent a letter to Commissioner Shah on March 28th requesting the public meeting to address the Peninsula situation and the healthcare needs of the community. After receiving no response for nearly a month, Turner and Ulrich then sent a letter to Governor Cuomo on April 23rd with the same request. Given the urgency of the situation, the legislators scheduled the press conference as an added measure to continue the push for a meeting.

Congressman Bob Turner represents New York's 9th Congressional district and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and House Committee on Homeland Security.

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