RWJBarnabas Health has announced that the New Jersey Department of Health has advanced the system’s plans to build a new 252-bed modern acute care hospital on what will be known as the Vogel Medical Campus, located on the site of the former Fort Monmouth U.S. Army base in Tinton Falls.

The state’s largest health system is expected to move key services such as labor and delivery, acute care in-patient beds and the hospital license to the new facility in Tinton Falls, from its current location in Long Branch.

The plan is part of a larger redevelopment that includes a 150,000-square-foot Specialty and Cancer Care Center now under construction in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Thousands of Lakewood area births are delivered at the Long Branch facility every year.

The Department of Health notified RWJBarnabas Health that its Certificate of Need application has been deemed complete, allowing the proposed project to move to the next phase of the state’s review and approval process. This designation confirms that all required documentation has been submitted and accepted for formal evaluation.

“RWJBarnabas Health is building a health care model for the future right here in Monmouth County,” said Eric Carney, President and CEO of Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood. “Our bold vision includes new and improved facilities designed to meet the evolving needs of our community, driven by the expertise of our providers and feedback from our patients.”

However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), who represents the region. Pallone said the proposal effectively closes the Long Branch hospital and shifts full inpatient care to a more affluent area.

“This is unacceptable” Pallone said in a statement, accusing RWJBarnabas of “abandoning low-income and minority residents” and calling on state officials to reject the application. He also criticized the state for advancing the review process, alleging it could be expedited before a change in administration.

“This plan puts profits over working people in order to build a concierge hospital for wealthier patients,” Pallone, whose brother John Pallone is the Mayor of Long Branch, said.

“Effectively closing Long Branch’s hospital will leave thousands of families without access to health care and will further strain other hospitals in the region at the same time the Trump Administration is slashing funding to health care.

New Jersey state law does not allow for the creation of a second hospital under the same license.

The proposed 252-bed acute care hospital will feature all-private inpatient rooms, a modern design, and cutting-edge technology aimed at improving patient outcomes and comfort. The new facility will include emergency and surgical services, radiology, and all other critical support functions. It will also prioritize accessibility, offering ample and well-lit parking, clear walking paths, and security stations to enhance safety.

Under the proposed plan, Monmouth Medical Center will still retain several services, including: An emergency department, 24 beds for “observation” (not overnight stays); inpatient psychiatric beds; outpatient psychiatric services, an outpatient surgical center, imaging services and clinics.

Directly addressing patient feedback, RWJBarnabas Health says the new hospital will offer greater family involvement, privacy, and comfort to foster a more healing environment. Located just five miles from Monmouth Medical Center’s Long Branch campus, the Vogel Medical Campus at Fort Monmouth will also include the Specialty and Cancer Care Center.

The 150,000-square-foot Specialty and Cancer Care Center at the Vogel Medical Campus will provide comprehensive outpatient cancer care in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute – New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

The center will offer advanced treatment options such as precision medicine, cellular therapies, and access to the latest clinical trials. It will also feature surgical and imaging services, physician offices, and patient support services. Construction is currently underway, with completion anticipated in late 2026.

As part of its broader plan, RWJBarnabas Health said they are also investing in modernizing Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch to maintain essential services and improve the patient experience. Planned renovations include updates to the main patient care tower, façade improvements, and additional parking to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

“The Long Branch campus will continue to provide essential emergency services, while the new acute care hospital in Tinton Falls, with its close proximity to the Garden State Parkway and other major roadways, will bring Monmouth Medical Center’s nationally recognized clinical care closer to more people we serve across the county and region,” said Mary Anne Nagy, Chairperson of the Monmouth Medical Center Board of Trustees.

But that was disputed by Rep. Pallone, who claimed that RWJ’s eventual plan is to close Monmouth Medical Center entirely, and sell the hospital building to a developer.

“It’s only a matter of time before they even close what’s left,” warned Pallone. “There are developers who want to take this land and put up luxury condominiums. I have absolutely no doubt that they’re having conversations now with developers to sell.”