De Blasio, local elected officials split over LICH deal

Dan Goldberg

Mayor Bill de Blasio split from some of his liberal allies on Monday over whether SUNY's deal to sell Long Island College Hospital to the Fortis Property Group is a good one.

The mayor reacted with cautious optimism to news of a principled agreement between the state entity and the Brooklyn development company while other local elected officials said they were “distressed that SUNY has yet again ignored the needs of the community.”

The difference of opinion demonstrates what a political headache the money-losing Cobble Hill hospital has become for the mayor whose candidacy was boosted, in part, by his support for the hospital. It also illustrates the challenges de Blasio faces of governing pragmatically after running a campaign built, in part, on idealism.

“While this agreement has not been finalized, the mayor is encouraged that the latest proposal includes not only a freestanding emergency room but also specialized medical services; urgent, primary and preventative care; a cancer center; an HIV clinic; and observation beds,” said Phil Walzak, the mayor's spokesman.

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/health-care/2014/06/8547307/de-blasio-local-elected-officials-split-over-lich-deal?top-featured-1