In a major development for healthcare access in Monmouth County, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-6) has successfully brokered an agreement ensuring the continuation of acute-care inpatient services at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. The legislative arrangement, reached in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, Governor Phil Murphy, and state legislative leaders, safeguards critical hospital services for the Long Branch community while allowing the health system to expand operations at a new facility in Tinton Falls.
The agreement addresses longstanding concerns among residents, clinicians, and local officials that eliminating inpatient services and a full-scale emergency department in Long Branch would create barriers to care, particularly for vulnerable populations. Under the new framework, Monmouth Medical Center will retain a 48-bed surgical and observation unit, with up to 12 beds convertible to intensive care use, while continuing to operate fully equipped operating rooms and a 24-hour emergency department. The plan also ensures that behavioral health inpatient and outpatient services remain fully operational, preserving comprehensive care for the region.
“This legislative solution protects residents who rely on immediate, high-quality healthcare in Long Branch,” Pallone said. “While a new hospital in Tinton Falls offers benefits to the region, it cannot come at the expense of the communities facing the greatest barriers to care. I am grateful to RWJBarnabas Health, Governor Murphy, and our state legislative leaders for their partnership in achieving this outcome.”
The initiative will function as a pilot program, allowing RWJBarnabas Health to operate acute-care services at both the Long Branch and Tinton Falls locations for at least ten years, with the option for extension by the Commissioner of Health. This structure provides the hospital with stability to continue offering essential services while integrating new facilities and resources in the county.
Legislative sponsors of the pilot program include State Senators Vin Gopal and Joseph Vitale, along with Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul. Their coordinated efforts, together with public support voiced at hearings, reflect a unified commitment to maintaining quality healthcare access throughout Monmouth County. Long Branch Mayor John Pallone has also expressed strong support for the legislation, emphasizing its importance for the city’s residents.
RWJBarnabas Health Executive Vice President George Helmy highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to the region. “This pilot program ensures that Monmouth Medical Center continues to deliver world-class care while we expand services at the Vogel Medical Campus in Tinton Falls. The collaboration with elected officials and community leaders underscores our mission to support families across Monmouth County.”
The agreement has been widely welcomed as a model for balancing healthcare expansion with local accessibility, addressing concerns that closing or scaling back inpatient services could exacerbate health disparities, lengthen travel times for patients, and overburden nearby hospitals. Lawmakers and hospital officials alike emphasized that this legislative solution strengthens the county’s overall healthcare infrastructure without compromising care for Long Branch residents.
As Monmouth Medical Center continues to operate under this new framework, residents can expect uninterrupted access to emergency services, surgical care, and behavioral health programs. The agreement also sets a precedent for collaboration between public officials and healthcare systems in New Jersey, demonstrating how targeted legislation can preserve essential services while enabling strategic growth. For those interested in broader wellness initiatives and healthcare resources across the state, Explore New Jersey’s health and wellness guide provides valuable insights into services, programs, and facilities supporting community well-being.
This legislative milestone ensures that Long Branch retains a full-service hospital capable of meeting immediate healthcare needs while supporting RWJBarnabas Health’s continued investment in regional medical facilities, reaffirming the commitment to accessible, high-quality care for New Jersey families.
