RE: OPEN LETTER TO PERTH AMBOY RESIDENTS ON THE DISINFORMATION OF HACKENSACK MERIDIAN RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER SERVICES

December 2, 2022
Office of the Mayor, Helmin J. Caba

Dear residents and community partners

I write to you to stop the spread of disinformation about losing hospital services with its ongoing expansion at Raritan Bay Medical Center behavioral health services.

In October 2022, Raritan Bay Medical Center shared two publications that included the following:
1. The announcement of the opening of its first Long Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH)  
2. Interview with the new President and Chief Hospital Executive, Patricia Carroll

The Medical Center's executive leaders stated that the ongoing expansion would not result in losing hospital services.

On November 23, 2022, Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center once again reaffirmed its commitment to the City of Perth Amboy and investment in health services in a letter to my office and state legislative officials. This correspondence was also shared with our city council members.

The disinformation of losing hospital services due to behavioral health expansion is false, deceptive, and obscures the truth. Therefore, decisive action is needed when this falsehood spreads because it undermines our ability to engage in fact-based public discourse. 

I ask residents to challenge these falsehoods when heard, as they only serve those individuals who wish to take advantage of our community. We all must ensure that our residents are properly informed.

As always, my Administration will continue to provide good governance, maintain the highest standards of quality of life, and ensure the public safety of all our residents.

Respectfully,
 
Helmin J. Caba, Mayor

Copy of open letter with enclosures available here