'Disappointed': Beth Israel's closure conditionally approved by NY State

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)—The New York State Department of Health has given Mount Sinai Beth Israel conditional approval to close its doors on the Lower East Side, a spokesperson for the hospital announced Thursday.  

The plan to close one of the only hospitals on the Lower East Side has been met with backlash from residents who have insisted the hospital stay open.

“We are grateful for the Department of Health’s careful and comprehensive review of our proposed closure plan,” read a statement obtained by PIX11 News. “The 16 Street Hospital of Mount Sinai Beth Isreal will remain open and accepting patients. We will provide more detailed information and updates as we continue to work closely with the DOH and present our position to the court.”

The hospital has been under Mount Sinai’s control since a merger in 2013. Supporters of the hospital say that since the merger, Mount Sinai has been dismantling; removing heart surgery, maternity, rehab, and physical medicine, and reducing pediatric beds.

New York City officials have been trying to keep the doors open, but Thursday's announcement of the hospital's closure was met with disappointment. 

“There is no substitute for the full-service general hospital that the community would lose with the closure of Beth Israel,” read a statement by Lower Manhattan Elected Officials. “We are very disappointed in today’s announcement and remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure that the communities we represent have full access to high-quality health care. We urge Mount Sinai and the Department of Health to proceed with utmost transparency and effective community engagement as this process continues.”

An urgent care on 14th street will open and accept all forms of health insurance coverage, including Medicaid and Medicare, and will be open 24/7, a spokesperson for Mount Sinai said. 

This story comprises reporting from PIX11 News reporters Kristen Cole and Zhané Caldwell.