Hundreds rally to save SUNY Downstate Hospital
Hundreds of workers, community activists and members of faith communities from Brooklyn and throughout New York State rallied in Albany to protect SUNY Downstate Medical Center and maintain the services it provides to the borough.
They also met with state senators, assemblymembers and legislative staff to ask for their support in upcoming legislation to keep Downstate available to the public. There are reports that Downstate is poised to “restructure,” which could result in thousands of job losses as well as limiting the health care options of the 400,000 patients who are served each year by the hospital.
This is a hot-button issue for Southwest Brooklynites, some of whom virtually have no emergency room for miles since the closure of Victory Memorial Hospital. Many rely on the SUNY Downstate urgent care facility, at the Victory site, but, that said, it is only open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is not properly equipped to be considered an emergency room.