Christie awards money for critical health care, proposes funding increases

N.J. Gov. Chris Christie’s administration has announced $30 million in funding in Health Care Stabilization Fund grants to be split among 10 facilities facing operation challenges.

The following health care facilities will share the $30 million to “ensure that access to vital services can be maintained in a community when its health care facilities are in distress,” as Health and Senior Services Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh explained in a statement.

Christ Hospital………………………………..$7 millionEast Orange General Hospital………………$3 millionHoboken Municipal Hospital Authority…….$4.1 millionJersey City Medical Center………………….$3 millionKimball Medical Center………………………$1.2 millionOur Lady of Lourdes Health Foundation….$1.2 millionRaritan Bay Medical Center…………………$4 millionSaint Mary’s Hospital of Passaic……………$3.3 millionSt. Clare’s Hospital…………………………..$1.8 millionTrinitas Regional Medical Center……………$1.2 million

The administration has also proposed budget increases for Graduate Medical Education and charity care. Hospital Relief Subsidy Funds will remain steady at $166 million, but be expanded to 72 state hospitals in FY 2012 rather than the 26 eligible in 2011. Facilities will be required to document progress on operational and financial indicators in order to qualify for the funding.