Romney Speech Pains St. Vincent's

When a Republican presidential contender, Mitt Romney, readied to deliver a speech on health care this morning, he chose a backdrop that might lend force to his message: the hospital Saint Vincent's, named for the great 17th-century caregiver to the poor, Vincent de Paul.

There was one problem though: Saint Vincent's says it wants nothing to do with Mr. Romney.

Soon after Mr. Romney's speech just outside the hospital at 12th Street and Seventh Avenue, during which he criticized Senator Clinton's health care plan, a hospital spokesman complained that Mr. Romney was using Saint Vincent's for political gain.

"If they absolutely feel they want to have it in the vicinity, they need to be far enough away so it's in no way associated with the hospital," a spokesman for Saint Vincent's, Michael Fagan, said. "Our preference is that they wouldn't do it anywhere near the hospital whatsoever."

Mr. Romney's campaign said the venue was chosen because it was close to other engagements he had scheduled today and because a hospital was wanted as a backdrop for the event.

"I chose a place where there was a public sidewalk in front of a hospital to underscore that this is about health care," Mr. Romney said at the press conference after he was asked a question about the location. "I, of course, am in New York today, so I'm happy to do it here. This is obviously, a very important institution."

A spokesman for Mr. Romney, responding to a statement by Saint Vincent's, emphasized that no hospital property was used.