Governor David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson,

We are pleased that the NYS Department of Health has denied
permission to Long Island College Hospital to close its obstetrics,
neonatal, pediatrics, and school-based services. With threats of
bankruptcy and fears of closure in the air, we need you and your
administration to stand ready to cut through bureaucratic obstacles
and distractions and to provide the appropriate permissions if or
when a viable plan for LICH's future is presented. If such a plan is
not immediately forthcoming, we call on you to make available to LICH
additional interest-free restructuring grants in the short term for
as long as they prove necessary. We recognize that the state faces
hard times economically, but, Governor, hospital closures are
forever. The health of our communities depends on access to medical
services. As the Department of Health's November 17, 2008 letter to
LICH makes clear:

"Currently there is insufficient capacity in the hospitals
immediately around LICH and in much of Brooklyn to clearly
demonstrate that women will have appropriate access to obstetrical
and maternity care if LICH closes these services. Until there is
greater clarity on this issue the Department believes it is in the
best interest of public health that obstetrical and neonatal services
be retained at LICH."

Knowing the precarious state of medical services in Brooklyn obliges
us all to commit our most focussed attention to solving the current
crisis and putting LICH on a firm footing that insures its long-term
success as a fully functioning hospital. We hope that you will stand
with us to do whatever it takes to keep LICH open and fully functioning.

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