Updated 02/21/2013 01:39 AM
Temporary Restraining Order Halts Closure Of LICH, Union Says
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A union representing hospital employees said Wednesday night that a temporary restraining order is halting the planned closure of Long Island College Hospital.
The NYSNA and 1199 SIEU said a judge agreed to hold a hearing on the issue on March 7.
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, which operates LICH, announced Wednesday that it filed a proposal to close the hospital with the New York State Department of Health after the Board of Trustees approved the plan earlier this month.
Downstate President John Williams said a community advisory board would be convened to assess the needs of residents in the area.
Some local lawmakers and advocates are asking Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Health Department to stop the closure.
SUNY Downstate, which runs the facility, says the hospital has a $40 million budget shortfall and would run out of money by next month.
NY1 has asked SUNY Downstate for a response on the temporary restraining order but had not received a response as of late Wednesday night.