Hudson County (NJ) hospitals unlikely to consolidate

A recent state-authorized report on Hudson County's hospitals recommended that three of the six local facilities try to consolidate services, and at least one hospital CEO agrees. But the impending sale of two of the three hospitals to private companies may make consolidation less urgent, since they will no longer be heavily relying on state funds. The sales will also weaken the state's ability to force changes in their operations. In December 2009, Christ Hospital in Jersey City, Hoboken University Medical Center, and Jersey City Medical Center were asked to take part in a study conducted by Navigant, a consulting firm hired by the New Jersey Health Care Facilities Finance Authority, to examine how the hospitals could consolidate services as a cost-saving measure. At the time, the three hospitals were receiving large annual grants from the state, and government officials wanted to find ways to save money.