Months after a bankruptcy judge approved Hudson Regional Hospital’s takeover of Christ Hospital, the newly rebranded Heights University Hospital is threatening to cut “non-essential” employees and services amid financial losses. The move has alarmed workers, city officials, and residents, prompting Jersey City to petition the state for emergency funding to keep the hospital fully operational. That petition — entitled “Save Heights University Hospital” — was submitted by healthcare workers, hospital staff, and community members on October 12 to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey’s Department of Health. More than 1,500 signatures had been collected by the time of delivery, and as of now, it has approximately 1,519.
Hudson Regional Health (HRH), based in Secaucus, finalized its purchase of Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center earlier this year as part of a bankruptcy plan for the former CarePoint Health system. HRH’s chairman, Yan Moshe, called the court’s approval “a threshold moment for Hudson County,” saying the deal would ensure “long-term viability” and allow the company to “modernize facilities” and “deliver greater value to patients.” But less than six months later, HRH says the hospital is losing more than $60 million annually and cannot continue to operate without state intervention. The company claims it has already invested over $300 million into the network and may soon be forced to suspend non-essential operations and lay off staff if government funding does not arrive. State officials have not committed to providing financial support as of now, though Jersey City has formally requested emergency assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), leaving the hospital’s future uncertain.
In a public statement, HRH said it is reviewing “service line decisions” but declined to specify which positions or departments might be affected. Union representatives confirmed that some employees have already received layoff notices, warning that the cuts could undermine care for Jersey City’s most vulnerable patients.
State Senator Angela McKnight said Heights University Hospital “provides vital charity care to our most vulnerable residents. Those who have nowhere else to turn in their time of need and already face significant health inequities and barriers to care.” She warned that reducing services would deepen those inequities and strain Jersey City’s already limited healthcare network.
The takeover itself has drawn scrutiny. The Jersey City Times reported that Moshe and other HRH principals have been named in multiple federal lawsuits related to alleged fraudulent billing and kickback schemes. The outlet also revealed that Moshe and his business partners donated nearly $2 million to a super Political Action Committee (PAC) aligned with Jersey City’s Mayor Steven Fulop, who publicly praised the takeover as “great news” for residents.
Despite these controversies, HRH maintains that it is committed to keeping the hospital open. “This is about stabilizing healthcare in Hudson County,” HRH President and CEO Dr. Nizar Kifaieh said in a statement earlier this year.
Still, the situation remains precarious. Heights University Hospital serves as a safety-net facility, with more than half of its patients uninsured or underinsured. Community advocates warn that any reduction in services could leave thousands without adequate care and increase strain on nearby hospitals. It operates in close coordination with Hoboken University Medical Center, which is also owned by HRH and provides similar care services to neighboring residents. Jersey City and Hoboken are primarily served by three major hospitals — Heights University Hospital, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Jersey City Medical Center, which is designated as a Level II trauma center and the only comprehensive emergency facility in the area.
As city leaders continue to push for state funding, they are also calling for transparency and oversight to ensure that public money is used responsibly. For now, the fate of Heights University Hospital, and access to care for much of Jersey City, hangs in the balance.
