Long Island College Hospital to Remain Open

Despite a previous announcement that they would be closing down Long Island College Hospital, Downstate Medical Center reversed its decision and stated that they will not be closing down the Brooklyn teaching hospital after all.

Long Island College Hospital, located in the Cobble Hill neighborhood, was part of a larger budget fight in the legislature of New York State. The state budget, which was passed into law last month, stipulated that the administration of the State University of New York (SUNY) together with Downstate Medical Center had to create a way to keep the doors of the financially struggling institution open.

Albany legislatures fought for a way to guarantee that medical services in the area be maintained and that the medical college stays open. The college is a training ground for a large number of Latino and black doctors.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo remarked that the state Legislature did not include a bailout of the hospital. Rather, the state is insisting that officials find the means to keep the hospital open.