NAACP v. Ben Gilman Medical and Dental Clinic

Location:  Rockland County, NY
Issue:  Associations
Status:  Open

Overview:  Since it opened two years ago, the Ben Gilman Medical and Dental Clinic has closed on Saturdays, in observation of the Jewish Sabbath.  In September, 2006, the NAACP filed a complaint and request for investigation by the Rockland County Commission on Human Rights.  The NAACP claims that by closing on Saturdays, the clinic is violating patient's civil rights, and should be held responsible, particularly in light of it accepting Medicaid and Medicare payments.  The clinic provides 24 hour on-call coverage for its primary care services every day of the week (including the Jewish Sabbath).  Local hospital emergency rooms are also open on the weekends.  The results from the investigation are due six months from the date of request.

Resources & Documents

• BF Response to Complaint (Oct. 19, 2006) (PDF, 39.9KB)

Articles & News Items

• "Becket Fund, NAACP Square Off Over Jewish Medical Center," October 19, 2006
• "New York State Rejects NAACP Challenge to Clinic’s Sabbath," November 2, 2007