Governor Christie’s proposed state budget includes a $10 million grant to help launch the new medical school planned by Hackensack University Health Network and Seton Hall University, and contains several other items that affect hospitals, including a major reduction in charity care funding.
The governor pointed with pride to the impact of his 2014 decision to expand Medicaid to include poor, childless adults, through funding from the federal government under the Affordable Care Act. “More of our poor [are] receiving good health care,” he said, “and charity care in our hospitals [is] dramatically reduced.”
The addition of 434,000 people to the Medicaid rolls over the last two years has meant fewer uninsured patients in the state’s hospitals. Calling this a “fundamental shift,” Christie proposed cutting the state’s allocation for charity care, which compensates hospitals for the treatment they provide the uninsured, by $75 million. When federal matching funds are included, that means hospitals will lose $150 million, a reduction of 30 percent from the current level of funding, to $352 million.
At the same time, the budget would increase funding for graduate medical education — the extra costs incurred by hospitals when they train interns and residents — by $61 million. The net effect is an $89 million reduction in aid to hospitals.
DECEMBER 31, 2015, 9:50 AM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015, 9:57 AM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
WYCKOFF — A 39-year-old Hackensack man who allegedly recorded a co-worker using the bathroom at a Wyckoff business for up to two years was arrested Wednesday.
LAW ENFORCEMENT PHOTO
German G. Gonzales, 39, of Hackensack
German G. Gonzales is charged with invasion of privacy, Chief Benjamin C. Fox said in a statement.
His co-worker, a 56-year-old woman, saw Gonzales bend down near the bathroom sink, Fox said. While Gonzales said he was just picking something up off the floor, the woman later found a cellphone taped to a water supply line under the sink.
Contractor Airlifted to Hackensack University Medical Center after severed fingers
August 7,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blogUpper Saddle River NJ, A contractor reportedly severed multiple fingers while using a power saw at a home in Upper Saddle River on Thursday afternoon, 08/06. He was airlifted from 1 Lake Street to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus shortly after 4 PM. Upper Saddle River PD, EMS, assisted in the victim’s treatment and transport. A paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital also responded.
RIDGEWOOD, NJ , Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) honored Korean War Veteran and Wanaque resident Thomas Falato, during today’s flag raising ceremony, which traditionally starts the Annual Ridgewood 4th of July Parade. Reaching the rank of Corporal, Mr. Falato served in the Second Korean Winter of 1951-1952, where his many medals included the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 and the U.S. Army reserves from 1953-1957.
“What better time of the year to be reminded of what great country we live in, then to pay tribute to our veterans, especially those who fought in the dangerous and often inhospitable battle conditions of Korea,” said Garrett while presenting a congressional resolution to Mr. Falato, which recognizes his dedicated and unselfish service to his country.
Born and raised in Hackensack, Mr. Falato has stayed active in veteran activities, serving as Post Commander of Korean War Veterans Association Taejon Chapter #170 in Saddle Brook. He is also a retired manager from Verizon.
MAY 3, 2015, 10:59 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015, 11:09 PM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
More buses. More trains. Big improvements, like a new tunnel under the Hudson River, and small ones, like better Internet connections. Getting home in time to tuck the kids into bed.
That’s what commuters say a proposed 9 percent jump in NJ Transit fares should help fund.
Oh, and spare riders the middle seat on trains.
“I loathe the middle seat. Who doesn’t?” said Tara Allerton, 41, an advertising executive and frequent NJ Transit commuter who wants more double-decker trains between New York City and her home in Ridgewood “to spend more time at home with my family.”
But NJ Transit officials say that the money — and some service cuts — are needed to close the agency’s $60 million budget gap.
Most transit riders said they understand that NJ Transit is not considering any service improvements, a fact confirmed by Nancy Snyder, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. Instead the proposed fare increase — the first one since a 2010 fare increase of 25 percent — is intended only to pay for basic operating expenses. But that alone won’t be enough. Late-night service cuts will be felt on the Pascack Valley and Montclair-Boonton rail lines.
“It’s a fare hike to keep the lights on, but it’s worse than that because there are service cuts,” said Janna Cherwitz, New Jersey policy analyst for Tri-State Transportation Campaign, which advocates for better mass transit.
Commuters will get their say this month, in a series of 10 hearings and public information sessions held at sites throughout the state, including Secaucus, Hackensack and Paterson. And it’s likely NJ Transit officials could get an earful.
Officials already know the agency has a problem with the on-time performance of its buses, and they know how riders feel about it. Only 69 percent of NJ Transit’s buses left on time during the first three months of 2015, according to a report presented to the agency’s customer service committee late last month. The agency received 3,459 complaints in March, according to the report. The most common problems included delayed and canceled trips, missed connections and no-show buses.
Train riders fare much better. During the 12 months that ended in March, 94 percent of trains left on time, according to NJ Transit.
Meanwhile, ridership continues to grow, increasing by 2.3 percent over the last year to 271.3 million passenger trips, a record, according to the agency’s latest financial report.
That has only increased the cries for better service, it seems.
“If they’re going to ask for more money, they should give us more trains,” said Randy Pernicone, who commutes from River Edge to his job in Manhattan as a finance executive for Anthem Insurance. “It’s frustrating.”
Michael McDaid of Ho-Ho-Kus echoed that sentiment.
“I would like to see more trains in the evenings and weekends,” said the 42-year-old, who rides the train to his job in Hoboken. “I guess they’re not really talking about that. But still, it would be nice.”
Public comment encouraged at locations across the system
April 20, 2015
NEWARK, NJ —Throughout the past five years, NJ TRANSIT held the line on fare increases while maintaining high quality services and implementing new customer amenities including MyTix, Departurevision, and MyBus Now.
However, costs such as contract services – Access Link, the organization’s paratransit service, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and private carriers – and healthcare and benefits, general liability insurance, workers’ compensation and pensions have steadily risen. As a result, NJ TRANSIT has been left with a significant budget gap.
Although NJ TRANSIT has identified more than $40 million in reductions in overtime, fuel savings, energy and vehicle parts efficiencies, the agency still faces an approximate $60 million budget gap for the 2016 fiscal year. To close the gap, fare and service adjustments are being proposed.
NJ TRANSIT will hold nine scheduled public hearings and one information session beginning Saturday, May 16, 2015 to allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the proposed fare increases and service changes and offer comments before the plan is considered by the Board of Directors on July 8, 2015.
The proposed service and fare changes would take effect in September 2015 and on October 1, 2015, respectively. The proposed fare adjustment would be an average of 9 percent for the majority of NJ TRANSIT customers.
Beginning on Monday, April 20th, customers may log on to www.njtransit.com for additional information regarding the budget and service adjustment plan.
To ensure an inclusive public comment process, NJ TRANSIT has scheduled nine public hearings and one information session at locations across the state from May 16 through May 21. The hearings and information session will be held in the evenings and on Saturday to encourage participation.
In addition to appearing in person, members of the public also may submit comments via mail to: PUBLIC HEARING OFFICE – FARE PROPOSAL COMMENTS, ONE PENN PLAZA EAST, NEWARK, NJ 07105; online at www.njtransit.com or dropped off at Customer Service Offices. The online public comment period will be extended until 11:59 p.m., Thursday, May 21.
PUBLIC HEARINGS & INFORMATION SESSIONSSaturday, May 16, 2015 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
NEW BRUNSWICK (INFORMATION SESSION)
New Brunswick Public Library – Carl T. Valenti Community Rm.,
60 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Monday, May 18, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City Rail Terminal – Lobby
One Atlantic City Expressway, Atlantic City, NJ
FREEHOLD
Monmouth County Agricultural Building
4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
SECAUCUS
Frank R. Lautenberg Station at Secaucus Junction
County Road & County Avenue, Secaucus, NJ
CAMDEN
Camden City Hall – Council Chambers (2nd Fl.)
520 Market Street, Camden, NJ
Wednesday, May 20, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
NEWARK
NJ TRANSIT Headquarters – Board Room
One Penn Plaza East, Newark, NJ
HACKENSACK
Learning Center, 4th Floor
One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ
Thursday, May 21, 2015 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
TRENTON
Trenton Transit Center
72 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton, NJ
MORRISTOWN
Morristown Town Hall – Senior Community Center (3rd Fl.)
HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley plans new emergency room
NOVEMBER 9, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014, 12:16 AM BY LINDY WASHBURN STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
Nearly 18 months after a bankrupt Pascack Valley Hospital reopened as a modernized, all-single-room facility, its for-profit owners are embarking on a project to relocate and expand the emergency department.
The planned $14 million renovation at HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley, as it is now known, would move the emergency room from the back of the hospital to the front, more than doubling its size and adding a new ambulance drop-off and an entrance for walk-ins, said the new acting CEO, Mark Sparta, who took over last week.
It’s a big investment in a 128-bed hospital whose liftoff has been slower than expected, with operating losses of nearly $20 million last year and an average census of just 37 patients a night.
But Robert C. Garrett, president of Hackensack University Medical Center and its parent hospital network, said those numbers do not reflect the potential for growth.
Hackensack among 3 NJ hospitals to be trained to receive Ebola patients
OCTOBER 22, 2014, 6:03 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2014, 6:50 AM BY LINDY WASHBURN AND MELISSA HAYES STAFF WRITERS | THE RECORD
Governor Christie named three hospitals Wednesday – including Hackensack University Medical Center – to receive intensive training and support so they are prepared to treat any Ebola patients in New Jersey.
The three volunteered to be designated as the state’s treatment centers for patients with the highly contagious disease, the state Health Department said. Officials at the hospitals say they’ll learn from both the good and bad experiences of medical centers around the country that have treated Ebola patients.
Naming three hospitals out of the 72 in the state allows officials to concentrate resources, as nurses’ groups and a state lawmaker have recommended. The three — Hackensack, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Newark’s University Hospital – will have help from a group of experts from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scheduled to visit this week.
Ebola is most likely to enter New Jersey via a passenger arriving at the airport or at the port, officials believe, so hospitals located relatively nearby with the resources to handle the disease were chosen. University Hospital already has served as the receiving hospital for any passengers from Newark Liberty International Airport considered to have potential cases of Ebola or other communicable diseases, under an agreement with the CDC.
Pedestrian pinned under NJ Transit bus in Ridgewood October 6th 2014 Boyd A. Loving 8:23 PM
Ridgewood NJ , A NJ Transit bus struck a male pedestrian crossing Oak Street at the intersection of Franklin Avenue in Ridgewoodon Monday evening, 10/06 at approximately 7:15 PM. The victim was pinned under the driver’s side of the bus and remained there until freed by Ridgewood firefighters. The bus was operating on Route #752. The victim was conscious and alert as he was being placed on an ambulance stretcher. He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center; injuries were reported to his leg and ankle. Oak Street between East Ridgewood and Franklin Avenues is closed while the accident investigation is being conducted. Franklin Avenue in the vicinity of Oak Street may be subject to closure as well. Ridgewood PD, EMS, FD, and Emergency Services personnel responded. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit was requested, as were members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit. NJ Transit PD was also requested.
Falling glass injures 3 at Bergen Town Center mall in Paramus
SEPTEMBER 20, 2014, 8:29 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014, 8:40 PM BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG STAFF WRITER THE RECORD Print
Three people were injured, including two juveniles, when glass from a balcony barrier at The Outlets at Bergen Town Center mall fell about 30 feet Saturday and shattered on the floor below, according to Paramus Police Sgt. Brian McGovern.
The incident happened at 3:20 p.m. The mall, on Route 4 east at Forest Avenue, was filled with shoppers at the time, said Boyd A. Loving, a freelance photographer who contributes to The Record.
Two boys and a 67-year-old man were injured by the falling glass, McGovern said, adding that none of the injuries appeared serious.
The juveniles were transported to Hackensack University Medical Center along with their mother and grandmother, said McGovern. The injured adult received a bandage at the mall and declined further treatment. Police did not release the names of the injured.
Hackensack University Medical Center “AirMed One” conducts training in Ridgewood
December 8, 2013
Boyd A. Loving
2:36 PM
Ridgewood NJ, “AirMed One,” Hackensack University Medical Center’s medevac helicopter, landed at Ridgewood’s Veteran’s Field on Sunday afternoon to conduct a brief helicopter safety program for Ridgewood’s first responders (police, fire, EMS, and Emergency Services personnel). The Eurocopter EC135-P2 chopper and its flight crew, ordinarily stationed at their Greenwood Lake Airport base, landed just prior to 1:45 PM and departed about 30 minutes later. At least two dozen first responders participated in the informational session.
“Driver seriously injured in late night Ridgewood crash” arrested on drug possession charges
October 29,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Ridgewood Police report that on October 29, 2013 at 11:35 PMa patrol responded to a motor vehicle accident on Fairfield Avenue. The responding officers found a single vehicle that had crossed into the opposite lane of traffic and left the roadway striking a tree. The driver was transported to Hackensack Medical Center by the Ridgewood Ambulance Corp.
During the investigation the investigating officers, Ptl Joseph Dibenedetto, Joseph Youngberg, and Sgt Heath James found what appears to be synthetic marijuana, heroin and hypodermic needles in the vehicle.
The driver Nicholas Demetro 25 of Ridgewood was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of heroin. He was also charged with Drugs in a motor vehicle, failure to maintain lane, Failure to keep right, improper display of plates, and unsafe tires. The accused was released pending an appearance in Ridgewood Municipal Court.
Driver seriously injured in late night Ridgewood crash
Reader asks what hospital do they brings the victims of said accidents to??? HACKENSACK!!!
The funny thing is, when you hear about serious accidents in town, what hospital do they brings the victims of said accidents to??? HACKENSACK!!!!
How many times have I read in the local papers that those injured in accidents, whether they be car accidents or whatever, were transported to Hackensack. Why is that?? Does Valley not have the capabilities to treat serious trauma cases??? or do those involved ask to be taken to Hackensack??
Has anybody asked to view the monthly occupancy rates at Valley as I doubt they have an issue with overcrowding – and if the occupancy rates show that admittance to Valley on an average monthly basis shows that at any given time, Valley has on average 50% occupancy, then Valley should be able to accommodate converting its existing structure to single bed rooms.This is based on serious trauma been treated at bigger hospitals.
The fact that they are paying outside experts to sell their square peg in a circle scenario is crazy – it would be very interesting to see what fees these experts are being paid and what previous jobs they have been involved in to see if they have been involved with Valley-like scenarios before and what those results have been.
Think about the pharmaceutical industry in which the big pharma companies paid ad agencies big money to promote their products to the masses only for these companies to hide data that showed their products killed people – think Vioxx – when the truth came out all the experts in the world, couldn’t hide the lies anymore.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Man Seriously Injured By Exploding Tire At Ridgewood Gas Station
April 8th 2013
Boyd A. Loving
9:14 AM
Ridgewood NJ, A 50 year old main sustained a serious head injury on Monday morning when a tire he was filling with air exploded at a Ridgewood gas station. The incident occurred at a Sunoco station located at 596 North Maple Avenue at the corner of First Street in Ridgewood.
The victim was knocked temporarily unconscious by the blast, and may have suffered a ruptured ear drum. Members of the Ridgewood Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported him by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center with the assistance of a paramedic unit from Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.
A first response EMT crew from Ridgewood Fire also assisted at the scene. Ridgewood PD Patrol Officer Paul Dinice handled the incident investigation.
