The possible closure of Mount Vernon Hospital is getting national attention as political leaders join the fight to keep it open.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer has joined forces with Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, hospital workers and other officials to try and save the hospital.
The battle has been raging since late last year, when Montefiore Health System announced plans to close the 121-bed hospital and build a $41 million emergency and ambulatory care facility about a mile away.
Registered nurse Sheila Skinner has worked at Mount Vernon Hospital for 32 years.
"This hospital is important," says Skinner. "It helped me raise my children, it helped me care for this community. I love this hospital."