FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 8, 2025
Community Rallies to Protect Lifesaving Care at Monmouth Medical Center Hospital
Emotional testimony and overwhelming turnout in Long Branch prompts State Health Planning Board to delay final recommendation
LONG BRANCH, NJ – Hundreds of Long Branch residents turned out on Thursday, December 4th to a livestreamed hearing at the Long Branch Senior Center to oppose the proposed closure of Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) in Long Branch. Community members spoke passionately about the significant harmful impacts they would face if MMC were to close.
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., opened the hearing before the State Health Planning Board, speaking live from the State House Museum in Trenton. To accommodate the anticipated large turnout in Long Branch, two additional viewing rooms were set up via Zoom at the Long Branch Senior Center. Many participants waited up to six hours to deliver powerful testimony describing how Monmouth Medical Center has served as a lifeline for them and their families, sharing deeply personal stories of lives saved and vital care received.
“I welcome the Board’s decision, and I want to personally thank the residents of Long Branch and everyone who came out to support our community and the fight to keep Monmouth Medical Center and all of its critical services in Long Branch,” said Mayor John Pallone. “Hearing from so many residents, representing our diverse community, clearly made a huge impact on the Board’s decision to postpone issuing their final recommendation.”
The energy in the room was palpable as people from all backgrounds shared their experiences. One resident, who relies on an electric wheelchair as her main mode of transportation, spoke about the essential care she receives at MMC and noted “how much love and support” filled the room.
In response to RWJBarnabas Health’s proposal to relocate all of Monmouth Medical Center’s acute care facilities and hospital license from Long Branch to a new facility in Tinton Falls, the Board requested additional information regarding patient access to the new facility via mass transit, staffing plans, the duration and scope of services that would remain in Long Branch, and how removing the hospital license and facilities from the city would negatively affect health equity.
The City of Long Branch, alongside Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., will continue to advocate for a solution that allows RWJBarnabas Health to maintain acute care hospital services in Long Branch.