New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a “fiscal state of emergency” in a speech to the Legislature this morning and laid out about $1.5 billion in spending cuts, including $12.6 million in hospital aid.
The following statement was sent to the media regarding Cooper’s position on the budget cuts.
“We recognize the nearly impossible financial situation the State and the Governor are facing,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Board of Cooper University Hospital. “Nobody likes cuts, particularly in very important programs like Charity Care funding. However, the Governor is constitutionally required to balance the budget to bring State spending into alignment with revenue. We support the approach the Governor has taken which will necessitate sacrifice by many State programs. Cooper will continue to provide the highest level of care to all, regardless of their ability to pay. For over 120 years, this has been our mission and it will continue to be our mission.”
John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO at Cooper, said, “South Jersey’s Comprehensive Cancer Center will be completed as envisioned and on the projected timeline. Cooper is currently in design development on this project and those funds were not needed for construction during this fiscal year, ending June 30, 2010. Governor Christie has and continues to demonstrate support for the Comprehensive Cancer Center project in Camden and we are confident that construction will begin in 2011.”