February 20, 2024

Special to UUP by Katie Morano

UUP members spread the word about their fight to save SUNY Downstate University Hospital as they gathered at the annual conference of the New York State Association of Black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislators Feb. 17.

The three-day conference, Feb. 16-18, offered a chance to educate thousands who attended the conference at the Empire State Plaza concourse on a plan by SUNY and Gov. Kathy Hochul to close the Brooklyn-based public teaching hospital. The high-profile event also provided an opportunity for UUP members to urge that Downstate supporters attend UUP’s planned Feb. 29 rally in support of the hospital.

SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. announced in January that SUNY plans to shift the majority of Downstate’s services to other Brooklyn hospitals—a plan that amounts to the closure of the hospital and which UUP President Fred Kowal immediately denounced as a betrayal of the community that Downstate serves. King’s announcement has also come under sharp criticism by state health officials and lawmakers for being developed with no advance notice to the state and no input by community leaders or residents.

That criticism by members and legislators alike continued at the weekend conference, as supporters and employees of Downstate lamented what losing the hospital would mean for the community.

Maxine Bennett, who works as an asset manager at Downstate’s Department of Property Control, noted that the medical school in particular would suffer without the hospital.

“People will lose their jobs,” said Bennett. “Everyone from workers to medical students will suffer from loss of income, and patients will suffer from the loss of services.”

Charlene Batts, director of strategic initiatives and public affairs under Justin Brannan, City Council Member for the 43rd District, has a personal history with the hospital. Her brother has epilepsy and was treated at SUNY Downstate. She credits the hospital with saving his life.

“If Downstate closes, it would mean less services for those who can’t afford to go to other hospitals,” said Batts. “I grew up in Flatbush, so I know what Downstate means to the community. It would be a great loss.”

UUP is more than ready to fight for this hospital, and for the community. Several members, decked out in “Brooklyn needs Downstate” t-shirts, took fliers and stickers to hand out as they made their way through the concourse, ready to share their message with anyone they could. And community members from different organizations pledged to show up and rally for the hospital.

The planned rally will take place on Feb. 29 at the hospital’s main location on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. Click HERE to RSVP for the rally and click HERE to get in touch with your elected representatives and fight for the future of Downstate.