Hudson Regional Health announced Friday it will keep the Emergency Department at Heights University Hospital open into March. The decision about the ER at the former Christ Hospital extends the deadline two weeks beyond its previously announced Feb. 28 suspension date.
The health system says the service extension comes after requests from Jersey City officials and discussions with the New Jersey Department of Health. HRH Chairman Yan Moshe agreed to cover roughly $1 million in operating costs during the extension.
However, HRH says that absent new funding from the state or other sources, it expects to suspend ER services March 14, 2026.
As NJBIZ reported, HRH says the move is driven by steep financial losses. The system notes it invested more than $100 million after acquiring the hospital out of bankruptcy, yet still absorbed $74 million in losses. It projects another $30 million this year amid Medicaid cuts, reduced Charity Care funding, rising uninsured patients and low ER use.
HRH says continued losses at Heights threaten care across its broader network in Secaucus, Bayonne and Hoboken.
If the ER does indeed suspend services March 14, HRH said it commits to relocate staff within the system, station an ambulance outside the facility for two weeks and then deploy a Mobile Health Unit. The system also says it is exploring redevelopment plans for a new, financially sustainable hospital in Jersey City.
Falling short
The potential closure has drawn sharp criticism from Jersey City officials, lawmakers and labor leaders, who urge state intervention to preserve emergency care access for Heights residents.
In a Feb. 27 statement, Mayor James Solomon, Councilmember Tom Zuppa and Councilmember Ephros said the extension marked progress. However, “it is still not acceptable for the residents of the Heights. HRH committed to providing long-term, high-quality health care in the Heights, and an additional two weeks fails to fulfill that promise.”
The group said it will continue to work closely with Gov. Mikie Sherrill, NJDOH and Jersey City Health and Human and Human Services to find a path forward that “guarantees access to emergency care for residents in the Heights, whether that care is provided by HRH or another provider.”
From the Department of Health
In a statement, acting Health Commissioner Raynard Washington said that while the Department of Health was notified of the two-week extension, Heights University Hospital remains out of compliance with state requirements. He noted the hospital’s Certificate of Need application, filed in fall 2025, is still under review and must be approved before any emergency department closure can legally occur.
“Despite receiving millions in state financial assistance and other supportive interventions, HRH has failed to continue operating Heights University Hospital in compliance with state law, shuttering all but the emergency department without obtaining legally required approval,” said Washington.
“While the anticipated closure date has been extended, this action does not change the fact that HRH remains out of compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. The state will continue to exercise all available options to enforce regulatory authority while safeguarding public resources and trust.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 6:36 p.m. Feb. 27, 2026, to include a statement from acting Health Commissioner Raynard Washington.
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