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Q&A

Hospital closure process and the role of state vs. city health departments

0:36:00

·

152 sec

Council Member Mercedes Narcisse inquires about the hospital closure process in New York and the involvement of the city's Department of Health. Dr. Michelle Morse explains the roles of state and city health departments in this process.

  • Hospital closure process is wholly governed by the New York State Department of Health
  • The city's health department communicates regularly with the state but does not have jurisdiction over hospital closures
  • There is a certificate of need process for opening or closing hospital beds and services
  • Health Equity Impact Assessments are sometimes conducted, but are not required for hospital closures
Mercedes Narcisse
0:36:00
When we do ask a question, I know some of them is the state driven data collecting?
0:36:07
But at the same time, I know that Department of Health for our city have to be well in tune with the numbers and making sure that we well taken care of.
0:36:15
I have faith that we'd be well taken care of.
0:36:18
We've been well taken care of.
0:36:19
But you know what I'm talking about.
0:36:21
Right?
0:36:22
Okay.
0:36:23
The hospital closure process in New York is wholly governed by the New York State Department of Health.
0:36:31
Is Department of Health here included or consulted at any point in the course of the state department of health decision making process when they are evaluating whether or not to approve a hospital closure.
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:36:50
So the state health department does have the regulatory jurisdiction around hospital closures.
0:36:56
Mhmm.
0:36:57
We do communicate with them and meet with them regularly and do coordinate across New York City and New York state around public health priorities.
0:37:06
However, the decision about hospital closures is fully within the realm of the New York State Health Department.
0:37:15
It is not in our juris in the New York City Health Department.
0:37:19
The ways that we would share information include, of course, a sharing information like the community health profiles I mentioned, the potential impacts that we think could happen in New York City.
0:37:31
However, it is fully the state health department's decision.
0:37:35
The final thing I'll mention is that there is a process that the state conducts, call it a certificate of need process.
0:37:42
That process is used for opening additional beds or services, and closing additional bids, some bids and services.
0:37:49
Although there is not a specific bill that has passed that requires community consultation around hospital closures, There is a process called the HealthEquity Impact Assessment, and the New York City Health Department does sometimes get asked to weigh in about the impact, the HealthEquity Impact.
0:38:16
Of hospital services being added or changed.
0:38:21
We do not, however, there is no requirement for there to be a health equity impact assessment when there is a hospital closure.
0:38:30
That is not a part of the process.
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