Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin told Hospital Sisters Health System CEO Damond Boatwright she is disappointed in the "abrupt announcement" of two hospital closures in the state and that the Springfield, Ill.-based system should consider a delay.
HSHS announced Jan. 22 that it would close its Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls. The hospitals are planned to close by April 21. The system also plans to close 19 health centers it operates in the region with multispecialty group Prevea Health.
In a Feb. 12 letter to Mr. Boatwright, Ms. Baldwin said she has heard concerns from patients, employers and community members about the decision. She is urging the system to "make every effort to support the continuation of care, particularly as stakeholders and neighbors work together to fill the gap [the system is] leaving behind."
"Moreover, HSHS should consider delaying closures to ensure health care services continue to be available in the Chippewa Valley. I expect that HSHS consider, in good faith, offers to purchase your facilities and equipment to support the continuation of health care services in the region for the patient populations served by Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals," she said.
Ms. Baldwin added that should she receive any complaints of early termination from her constituents, she will "work to ensure those allegations are fully investigated."
The senator is not alone in calling for a delay. Altoona, Wis.-based Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine filed a lawsuit against HSHS seeking to keep the hospitals open until at least July 21.