Mar 5, 2010 11:45 pm US/Eastern
New Plan Could Close Jackson South & North
Proposed Layoffs Could Total 4,480
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Jackson Memorial Hospital's top official CEO Eneida Roldan announced the possibility of closing Jackson South and Jackson North and laying off as many as 4,480 hospital employees.
In a meeting held Friday at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Public Health Trust Chairman John Copeland said he understood the gravity of the decision.
The proposal will have to be voted on by the Public Health Trust on March 22nd. If the measure is approved, the closures could happen as early as May 6th. The public hospital faces a $230 million budget deficit. The plan would save Jackson $113.5 million this year and $229.5 million next year.
During the meeting, trust member Jorge Arrizurieta asked: "So, we are talking about turning off the lights and just mothballing Jackson North and Jackson South?"
"Yes," Roldan replied.
Jackson South is a 199-bed facility in South Miami-Dade and had plans for expansion to double its size from 72,000 sq. ft. to 157,000 sq. ft., according to its website.
Jackson North is a 382-bed facility in North Miami Beach and includes a 24-hour pediatric and adult emergency care operation.
Other proposed cuts include closing an HIV & AIDS information center on Miami Beach and eliminating oncology and radiation departments. Occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy programs could also be dropped, affecting 65,000 patients each year.
They would also eliminate 45 beds from the emergency room at Jackson Memorial's main hospital.
"But I cannot say this enough. Tough decisions like this are the right choice if we're going to fulfill our mission and keep Jackson Health a stable and sustainable organization," Roldan told the Public Health Trust. "Of course, this plan is controversial. There will be push back; there will be alternative ideas and those who want more time. But we are running out of time."
Copeland said such painful decisions are necessary.
"If we do not act, all of Jackson Memorial Hospital is at risk. If we do not act, then we will run out of money in May. It's just that simple. If we had the money, we wouldn't be here. But there is no Santa Claus," he said. "We must make the right decision however hard they may be."
After the meeting, Roldan spoke with
CBS4's Jim Defede about the options. She insists Jackson is not abandoning the residents of the north and south ends of the county.
"We have other hospitals. We're going to try to align with other hospitals and believe me, a lot of our partner hospitals, you know, other for-profits and non-for-profits, are coming together and they're actually calling me. We're actually talking over to see if we can look more into the healthcare delivery more community-wide."
Earlier this week, the Miami-Dade Commission heard explanations from Jackson Memorial Hospital's Board as they defended their reputation during their current financial crisis. The commission had considered replacing the hospital's board, but chose to put the vote off for another day.
CBS4's Jasmine Kripalani contributed to this report.
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