Hudson County elected officials joined forces in solidarity to call out the owner of Alaris Health, Avery Eisenreich, for continuing to block the sale between CarePoint Health and the potential buyers of its local hospitals.

At a press conference March 9 outside of an Alaris Health facility in Jersey City, the mayors of Hoboken, Jersey City and Bayonne, alongside elected county and state officials, made their concerns public for the first time in an effort to call attention to the critical need to save each of the three area hospitals serving the highly populated area: Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center and Christ Hospital.

They said that they have been working closely with hospital officials, employees and other stakeholders for the past several months to ensure quality health care remains accessible to residents.

“It’s unthinkable that a company tasked with providing compassionate care would instead threaten the health and safety of our residents,” said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. “I’m thankful for the support from every level of government as we work together to maintain residents’ access to quality healthcare, which is critical for the overall health and wellness of our community.”

“We are committed to doing all we can to save the local hospitals and avoid the potentially damaging impacts,” said state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-31st District. “This company’s efforts to compromise the future of our health care system, regardless of the repercussions, is something that we need to demand action on to save our hospitals from closing.”

“The communities of Hudson County must stand together to save our hospitals,” said Bayonne Mayor James Davis. “They are vitally important for the health and well-being of our residents. We thank our Hudson County legislative delegation for supporting the efforts of our municipalities to keep our local hospitals in business.”

The representatives said they joined together to further commit to using all government tools available to protect the area hospitals from closing,

“It is critical for the Hoboken University Medical Center to continue serving as a hospital,” said Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla. “I join our elected officials in calling on all parties, especially Alaris, to help facilitate the sale of the three Hudson County hospitals without delay so this can occur. Hoboken will continue to do everything possible to ensure residents have access to critical emergency health services in the years to come.”

“As the fastest growing county in the state, it is imperative that residents have access to hospitals and emergency care in Hudson County,” said state Sen. Brian Stack, D-33rd District. “We cannot sit idly by and allow hospital owners to play games with the health of Hudson County residents.

“CarePoint’s bankruptcy is imminent and we no longer have the luxury of time to sit back and watch as the lives of residents and employees are detrimentally impacted,” Stack added. “Avery Eisenreich’s continued obstruction of the sale of these hospitals is dangerous and reckless and continues to put lives at risk.”

In a statement, CarePoint Health said” “CarePoint Health is greatly appreciative of the show of support for the eminent domain bill that was announced today. It assures that hospital real estate owners cannot block hospitals from continuing their community purpose and gives cities the ability to make that determination to assure the public interest is served. CarePoint thanks all of the mayors and legislators who are supporting the bill as well as the local unions.”

“We are hopeful that passing this bill paves the way for the Hoboken Hospital Property and Bayonne Hospital Property to be purchased from Avery Eisenreich by the cities. This will allow RWJBH to finalize the Hoboken University Medical Center and Christ Hospital transactions. This bill also allows the continuation of Bayonne Medical Center. CarePoint and RWJBH have already agreed on material terms satisfactory to both parties as it relates to the Christ Hospital Property and sale of the Hoboken and Christ Hospital operations.”

Editor’s Note: Updated at 8:10 a.m. on March 10, to include the statement from CarePoint Health.