Long Beach ‘die-in’ wants hospital back

In an attempt to draw attention to what has become a raw issue for many residents, a demonstration was held over the weekend in front of Long Beach Medical Center, where about 30 protesters called on state and hospital officials to reopen the shuttered facility, which has remained closed since Hurricane Sandy.

Braving the bitter cold and wind, demonstrators gathered at the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and East Bay Drive and staged what was described as a “die-in,” where they expressed the need for an emergency department on the barrier island. For about three minutes, demonstrators dropped to the ground and “played dead” to illustrate that lives continue to be put at risk each day LBMC remains closed. Participants, including County Legislator Denise Ford, called on the state Department of Health, state representatives and hospital officials to open a 24-hour, 911-ambulance receiving urgent care facility.

“It’s been 14, 15 months since the storm, and being a barrier island, we’re isolated, and we need access to a round-the-clock emergency receiving center,” said resident John McNally. “It seemed like a powerful way to put pressure on the hospital and our elected officials in the state to ensure that this matter gets the attention that it really needs. Residents are frustrated.”

Some participants toted signs calling for the hospital’s reopening, and a few even wore costumes, including Aija Dorsey, a 20-year LBMC employee, who dressed as a trauma patient, with medical bandages wrapped around her head and fake blood.

LBMC closed after 10 feet of water flooded its basement during Sandy. After making major repairs, officials said two wings and the emergency department could open. The state health department refused to allow the facility to reopen, and called for LBMC to merge with another hospital.

—Long Beach Herald. Photo by Kristie Arden