PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrea Gordillo, Chairperson of Manhattan Community Board 3, on the Proposed Closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital
2:40:13
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162 sec
Andrea Gordillo, Chairperson of Manhattan Community Board 3, testifies in opposition to the proposed closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital. She emphasizes the vital role the hospital plays in providing healthcare services to a diverse and vulnerable population in the East Village, Lower East Side, and Chinatown areas.
- The closure would exacerbate existing healthcare disparities, with 27% of the district's residents living below the poverty level and 44% of seniors below the poverty level.
- An independent health equity impact assessment indicates that emergency medical care, surgery, testing, and cardiac care are the most utilized services at the hospital.
- The Community Board urges the New York City Council to oppose the closure and emphasizes the importance of local input in decisions affecting healthcare services.
Andrea Gordillo
2:40:13
Hi.
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Good afternoon, Chair of Narcis, members of the committee.
2:40:17
Thanks for having us today.
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My name is Andrea Gordillo, and I'm the chairperson of Manhattan's Community Board 3.
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I'm here to testify in expressing our opposition to the proposed closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital on East 16th Street.
2:40:33
And furthermore, the importance of local input on closures and changes to healthcare access.
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This facility is a vital asset to our community and essential providing essential healthcare services to a diverse and vulnerable population.
2:40:47
As outlined in the resolution adopted by our board earlier this year, which we've submitted to your records.
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The closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel would have a significant negative impact on our district.
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Which represents the East Village Lowery side in Chinatown.
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The hospital serves as a large portion of Manhattan Community District 3, including residents who face economic challenges and rely heavily on the services provided.
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27% of our residents in our community district live below the poverty level, and 23% of the residents over are over 65, 44% of seniors are below the poverty level.
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The loss of the hospital would exacerbate existing healthcare disparities, living many individuals without access to necessary medical care.
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A local coalition, many of whom are here today, conducted an independent health equity impact assessment to analyze the potential consequences of the closure.
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Preliminary results indicate that emergency medical care as well know is most utilized is the most utilized service at Mount Sinai Beth Israel followed by surgery testing and cardiac care.
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The proposed closure would force patients to travel long distances to access these services, creating barriers for those who cannot afford private transportation.
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The local input was devised without proper or sufficient support from government or agencies.
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Furthermore, the closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel would have a detrimental impact on our community's ability to respond to emergencies.
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Community Board 3 urges the New York City Council to oppose the closure of Mount Sinai Beth Israel.
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And as a community board, we underscore the critical role, local input, and lived experiences that can inform changes to healthcare services.
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Mount Sinai is a vital institution that personalize essential healthcare services to our community and plays a critical role in addressing healthcare disparities.
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And we deserve we believe it's essential to preserve it as a cornerstone of our healthcare system.
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Thank you.
