“Opening a full scale hospital is taking two steps backwards! The public does not understand the true issues and implications. The current campaigne by Hackensack is wrong.” James M., Demarest, NJ

“We don’t need another hospital. We already have 7 hospitals in a 12 mile radius.” Arlene W., Mahway, NJ

“I strongly object to allowing more for-profit hospitals to dictate care in any area of NJ.” Monica K., Teaneck, NJ

“Reopening a hospital at the Pascack valley site is only going to weaken the surrounding hospitals. Your own commission found that there are too many hospital beds in Bergen County.  Is this the case except for Hackensack Hospital?” Cliff S., Englewood, NJ

“Please stop HUMC from their damaging powerplay. This hospital is NOT needed.” Allan B., Fairlawn, NJ

“It’s hard enough for existing hospitals to make ends meet by having to treat non-paying patients. Opening a new for-profit hospital siphons off the paying patients, leaving existing hospitals with more non-paying patients.” Victoria L., Passaic, NJ

“We do not need more hospitals in this area. We need much better medical care. In order for that to happen, we need to have money funneled in existing hospitals to get better doctors, equipment etc.” Linda W., Hackensack, NJ

“As a physician who was on staff at the old Pascack Valley Hospital, I saw first hand the lack of need for another hospital within a few miles of two others (Valley and Englewood Hospitals). The patients that I continue to treat from the old hospital are now receiving first class services at Englewood Hospital and Holy Name Hospital.” - Jen L., Englewood Cliffs, NJ

“A for profit hospital is not in the community’s interest.” - Grant S., Tenafly, NJ

“PVH was a wonderful establishment, but their beds were easily absorbed. By keeping the census up in Englewood and Valley we are ensuring the stability for tried and true full service hospitals in our vicinity.” - Nicole F., Cresskill, NJ

“Please keep the resources centralized to maintain quality care.” - Maria S., Little Ferry, NJ

“Look at Bergen Pines to see what happens when a “for profit” entity takes over. The cost is almost double what it is at the areas other “not for profit” hospitals and the care is of lesser quality. How else do you think that they can make a profit when the other hospitals can almost but not really  cover operating expenses on what they receive from insurers and the state* (*for charity care cases)” - Patrica B., Englewood, NJ

“Don’t ruin the great hospitals we already have in the area by letting overcapacity determine decisions by economics and bottom line thinking.” - Jeffrey G., Suffern, NJ

“It’s great that we’re having conversations about healthcare, but let’s make sure they are the right ones.  Weakening Bergen County hospitals is in NOBODY’s best interest.” - Mark S., Ridgewood, NJ

“Bergen County has excellent hospitals. Don’t allow a “for profit” facility to open.” -  Carol M., Fort Lee, NJ

“In this economy, it will hurt other surrounding hospitals which are non-profit state supported hospitals and it will hurt the state in a long run.” - Nita P., Wood Ridge, NJ

“To open another hospital will create the same problem when Pascack Valley was open. Too many hospitals in a small area causing at least one again in danger of closing and once again more people losing their jobs.” - Carol B., Dumont, NJ

“This should not happen, it is a bad idea.” - Charles N., Fairview, NJ

“Hackensack Hospital’s level of care and compassion for patients has been decreased tremendously as they are taking on way more than they can handle.  It has become a business for them, no longer a place for compassionate care above all else.” - Merri Beth F., Oradell, NJ

“I am a former employee of Pascack Valley Hospital and now have been at Valley Hosp. for the past 8 mo. and spoken with many of the Pascack patients now utilizing this hospital and all the many people I have spoken to feel that having Valley and Englewood as the hospitals of choice is convenient and sufficient for all theirr needs. Not one of them were interested in having either Pascack reopen or have HUMC have a hospital there. I speak for many when I say that I reject the HUMC inpt application for an acute care hospital.” - Karen A., Harrington Park, NJ

“HUMC had this planned all along. Look at the politicians they have over there. How can anyone trust what they say? I hope the state sees thru their games. Don’t they have enough? Do they want all other hospitals to close so they are the only game in town? I NEED my job. Stop being so greedy. Also HUMC said if emer patients needed to be admitted, they would go to HUMC. Does the patient have a choice in decision. Not all doctors go to HUMC. Somebody please stop HUMC.” - Judy K., River Edge, NJ

“How can you consider this proposal,when you know that this is redundancy of services! And for-profit to boot!” - Maureen W., Glen Rock, NJ

“There is an excess of beds already. We don’t need a “for profit” hospital to skim the cream of the crop patients from the not-for-profit community hospitals.” – Irwin B., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

“The money can be spent on more pressing, more necessary projects! Anyone who would visit this acute care facility can easily visit any of the already exisiting medical facilities in Bergen County. Hackensack is simply looking for an “in” in Northern Bergen County.” – Jaclyn S., Township of Washington, NJ

“Seems to me that somebody might be a little cozy with HUMC. Sort of a “Get Big or Get Out” approach. Similar to what happened in the farming and banking industry. Look how that’s playing out now.” – Steve B., Hawthorne, NJ

“Bergen County needs flourishing, not merely functioning, healthcare facilities. In order to flourish a hospital must have outstanding doctors and top health professionals and a sufficient caseload to effect efficiency, effectiveness in treatment and economies of scale. Bergen does not need another acute care hospital!” Victoria B., Ridgewood, NJ

“This economy is bad enough, please don’t dilute the minimal resources currently available. This type of competition will neither improve care nor reduce costs.” – Marjorie L., Hewitt, NJ

“Just say No to a for PROFIT Hospital. Don’t we need more medical care for the citizens of the state of N.J. that is accessible to all income levels?” – Madeline G., Oradell, NJ

“I am from Bergen County and all my family lives there. I do not think opening Pascack back up is a good idea at all!” – Deb R. Newburgh, NY

“As a physician working in Bergen County the hospital system must be made to work more efficiently, This means not worsening the existing oversupply of beds.” – Jeffrey L., Palisades, NJ

“Why would the State support re-opening an acute care facility in Bergen County when it allowed existing hospitals to close because there are too many acute beds in Bergen County. Wasn’t the state going to determine which hospitals were “essential” to the State of NY and potentially close even more hospitals?” – Dolores S., Little Ferry, NJ

“I was just treated at Valley hospital and what excellent care I received . I would hate for that care to be jeopardized because of a hospital trying to turn a profit in a County that is saturated with health care as it is.” – Margaret M., Montvale, NJ

“As a healthcare worked myself I have an understanding of the financial end of healthcare. Improving on current services rather than establishing a new hospital in a service area where it is not needed goes against all rules of supply and demand. This proposed plan has no actual benefit to the patients overall.” – Kristin B., Pompton Lakes, NJ

“We have enough hospitals in North Jersey.” – Kathleen G., Glen Ridge, NJ

“I see no reason for another hospital as the needs of area patients have been met by the existing healthcare facilities in the area.” – Janet F., Ramsey, NJ

“I agree that too many hospital beds in Bergen County will damage the operational effectiveness of hospital system.” – Kathy V., Park Ridge, NJ

“Westwood and the surrounding communities does not need a FOR PROFIT acute care hospital where the allegiance is to the investors. Haven’t we had enough with what is going on in the economy today and the greed that is behind it all!!” – Veronica D., Rivervale, NJ

“Please reject the application. It is counter to good health care planning for the people of Bergen county!!” – Mary C., Suffern, NY

“Please help keep our hospitals in northern New Jersey strong and effective. I don’t understand how a for-profit hospital can possible compete with a non-profit other than providing less quality services and hurting the effectiveness of other hospitals in the area. Please help keep the quality of the care we now receive.” – Barbara W., Ramsey, NJ