Crown Heights Hatzalah has joined the Boro Park, Flatbush, and Mill Basin divisions in strongly opposing a possible takeover of Maimonides Medical Center by NYC Health, the city’s public hospital system.

In a joint letter released this week, the coordinators of the four Hatzalah divisions wrote, “Hatzolah strongly opposes this potential takeover, and believes it is not in the best interest of our community. Over the past many years, we have had and continue to have an excellent working relationship with Maimonides Hospital, its administration, and its staff. Over the years we have worked tirelessly together to help make Maimonides a strong and reliable institution for our community, and we will continue to do so.”

They added that “discussions with the city are still ongoing,” and clarified that “all hospital operations remain status quo, and there are no changes in how Maimonides will function or serve our community.” The coordinators said they had “voiced our opposition to this potential merger clearly to both the city and the hospital administration,” promising to “continue to keep the community informed as developments unfold.”

The joint statement was signed by the coordinators of Boro Park, Crown Heights, Flatbush, and Mill Basin Hatzalah, and concluded “with grave concern.”

The plan comes amid ongoing financial struggles at Maimonides, which has been receiving significant state assistance in recent years to stay afloat. Hospital leadership has reportedly been in talks with city officials about possibly joining the NYC Health and Hospitals system, which operates facilities such as Kings County Hospital.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein expressed outrage at the proposal, saying the move is being forced through without community involvement or transparency. He said that “this decision is being shoved down our throats,” describing it as “a short-sighted quick fix made without the slightest understanding of our local diverse neighborhoods.”

Eichenstein said he has spent years working with hospital leadership and community figures to find “a responsible and sustainable solution” for Maimonides. He warned that if the takeover moves forward, the hospital would “lose its independence and its ability to serve the people who depend on it most.”

He added that reckless decisions “made by bureaucrats and stakeholders who will disappear the day after with zero local input will end in disaster,” and called for a “clear plan that recognizes local interests and considers patient safety.”