CONTACT:
Alex Taylor, Communications Director
ATaylor@council.nyc.gov, 332-223-9301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK ––– Council Member Farah Louis, Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, issued the following statement opposing the plan to close Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARAH LOUIS

“Kingsbrook Medical Center has a long history of serving our community here in East Flatbush. Kingsbrook is what is known as a ‘sanctuary hospital’ — it overwhelmingly serves working-class people on Medicaid and Medicare who need access to convenient and capable health care – now more than ever. The current plan to close Kingsbrook was developed years ago and is badly out of touch with present-day needs. We cannot deprive an underserved and overlooked community of essential medical services and healthcare in the heart of Brooklyn. Closing Kingsbrook would only deepen racial and economic health disparities in a community that was hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. I call on New York State to reconsider this reckless plan and stop any further cuts because we deserve better.”

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New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which comprises Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addictions. She is also a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Women and Gender Equity, Youth Services. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.