Hundreds Rally Support For Queens Hospitals
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Hundreds of healthcare workers, members of 1199 SEIU and elected officials marched down Queens Boulevard on Saturday to rally against the imminent closures of two local hospitals.
Mary Immaculate Hospital, along with Saint John's, is closing after its operator, Caritas Healthcare, filed for bankruptcy.
Protestors are pleading for the state to step in and help.
"First of all, there are jobs to be considered and also more importantly I guess, are the hospitals. They are the two hospitals here in Queens, most of the people in this area have to use those hospitals and it's gonna be a hardship for people here," said Carol Zimmerman, a former hospital employee.
"We need these institutions open in Queens, we are up to our limit in other hospitals," said Maureen Miller, 1199 SEIU.
Earlier this week, the state agreed to an $18 million grant -- $15 million of which will be used to expand inpatient and emergency room services at other Queens hospitals that will take on the extra patients.