Wagner: Let Pascack Valley Hospital Debate Play Out

Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen), vice chairwoman of the Assembly health committee, on Friday released the following statement on Hackensack University Medical Center’s request to extend the Dec. 28 expiration date for the Pascack Valley Hospital license. Hackensack University Medical Center wants to reopen a full-service hospital on the site of the former Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood but needs permission from the state:

“Opening a health care facility on the former site of Pascack Valley Hospital could help improve the medical care of area residents while bringing hundreds of jobs to Bergen County.

“In this difficult economy, with private sector job growth declining, this is an opportunity that cannot be turned away without an in-depth consideration.

“We should allow the process to continue to see if we can find an amicable solution for everyone involved. Letting the license expire and requiring everyone to start again from scratch would make little sense.

“I ask all sides to come to an agreement that benefits the health and economic well-being of Bergen County residents.”