While some hospitals are serving their ultra-wealthy, cash paying customers lobster tail and letting them convalesce in gigantic suites, Brookdale University Hospital in Brownsville can't even keep their bathrooms stocked with toilet paper. "They are trying to financially stabilize the hospital; that's what they are telling us," radiology technician and 1199 SEIU delegate Paulette Forbes told the Daily News. Forbes brings a roll of toilet paper with her to work, but no word on whether Brookdale will begin using controversial "Shake it off" therapy on patients to further cut costs.
The hospital saw $42 million in losses in 2010, and currently has liabilities that are $285 million more than its assets. Its CEO, David Rosen, was convicted of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars bribing state politicians, including Karl Kruger. In addition to not being able to stock basic supplies, layoffs are also likely.
“Supplies are delivered on a regular basis, and we endeavor to maintain an effective delivery schedule,” a hospital spokesperson said, noting that it was also a policy to "borrow" toilet paper from nursing homes in the hospital system. We're not convinced that those nursing homes will want it back.
