BP MARKOWITZ STATEMENT ON LONG ISLAND COLLEGE HOSPITAL (LICH)

“All of Brooklyn is deeply concerned by the withholding of financial support that would keep Long Island College Hospital open. Under an agreement brokered by the previous governor, LICH would be saved through a plan to merge with SUNY Downstate. The devastating cutting of essential medical services for thousands of Brooklyn residents and the loss of more than 2,500 jobs if LICH were to close is an untenable situation. LICH has a long and proud history of serving residents of Downtown, Central and Brownstone Brooklyn, and its well-being is more important now than ever. LICH remains both a thriving employer and a respected institution of medicine, continuing its tradition of keeping Brooklyn families healthy at every stage of life. I have every confidence that Governor Cuomo will honor the commitment made by the Paterson administration that the State of New York participate in the merger to preserve Long Island College Hospital and maintain access to high-quality healthcare for thousands of Brooklynites.”