Jersey City Hospital Closes After 150 Years, Leaving Patients in Limbo

In a major blow to the Jersey City community, Heights University Hospital is set to close its doors as early as this Saturday, November 18, 2025. The 150-year-old facility, formerly known as Christ Hospital, has been a staple in the area for over a century, but now faces an uncertain future.

The closure is being blamed on a lack of state funding and a 50% cut in charity care support from the federal government. According to officials, 65% of the hospital's patient population consists of those receiving charity care, undocumented individuals, self-pay patients, or Medicaid recipients. With these critical revenue streams drying up, the hospital found itself in a dire financial situation.

The impending shutdown will have a significant impact on the local community. Nurse Rebecca Lowe, who has dedicated 12 years of her career to the hospital, expressed her devastation at the news, saying, "This is beyond devastating. I have dedicated 12 years of my life to Christ [Hospital] ... to have the rug pulled from under me and being told not to come to work." In total, 699 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.

While the emergency room will remain open and fully operational, patients requiring admission will now need to be transferred to one of the other hospitals operated by the new owners, Hudson Regional Health. This poses a particular challenge for residents like Sonia Maldonado, who has been relying on Heights University Hospital for the past 20 years and does not have easy access to transportation to reach other facilities.