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West Side Community,
Commissioner Claypool, Attacks Advocate’s Plan for Drastic
Cuts at Bethany Hospital
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CHICAGO (Jan. 16, 2006)—Shocked by Advocate Health Care’s
announcement to dramatically cut health care services on the
city’s West Side, community and elected leaders, clergy, and
residents held a protest today in front of Bethany Hospital,
calling on Advocate management to reverse its decision to
turn the 150 bed hospital into a long term care facility.
The move will impact 67,000 patients annually who rely on
Bethany’s emergency room, maternity ward, mental health
facilities and asthma program.
Joining the crowd of West Side residents was Cook County
Commissioner Forrest Claypool, who denounced Advocate’s
plans to drastically cut back vital services by March of
this year. Commissioner Claypool is calling on the Illinois
Health Facilities Planning Board (IHFPB), the state agency
that has oversight over conversions in hospital services and
proposals for significant capital expenditures, to hold a
public hearing on the West Side.
Churches and community groups on the West Side have charged
Advocate Health Care, the city’s largest hospital system,
with racial redlining in its investments. The news of
Advocate’s decision to slash much needed services at its
Bethany facility comes weeks after executives for the
billion dollar hospital chain testified before the IHFPB
pledging its commitment to its city hospitals, citing
Bethany in particular.
“Advocate, don’t take away our health care—add to it,” said
Rev. Gregory Livingston, pastor of Mandell United Methodist
Church, speaking on behalf of the South Austin Coalition
Community Council and the Metropolitan Alliance of
Congregations (MAC) West. “It’s time to put white hospitals
in black communities and rich hospitals in poor
communities.”
Advocate claims that the cutbacks are due to financial
reasons, however Advocate has made more than $100 million in
profits for three consecutive years. Many argue, the
faith-based hospital system has lost sight of its Christian
mission and is acting more like a for-profit corporation
than a charitable organization committed to Jesus’ teachings
of “heal the sick, feed the poor.”
Rev. Livingston called attention to today as the holiday
honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. stating, “We have
a dream for a better hospital, a better community, a better
Advocate.” |
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Hospital Accountability Project, Service Employees International Union
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