Every year West Suburban Hospital provides vital
medical services to thousands of residents from Oak Park and Austin.
With caring and committed employees and a long history of service,
the hospital has been a vital part of both communities. Last year,
West Suburban Hospital was acquired by Resurrection Health Care
(RHC), a $1.2 billion healthcare corporation that operates 8 other
hospitals in the Chicago area.
In the first six months after RHC took over West Sub, free or discounted care to people without insurance dropped by 23%.
There are growing concerns that West Suburban Hospital will be subject to the same corporate pressures that have shortchanged uninsured patients and overworked staff at the other Resurrection Hospitals.
As a nonprofit corporation, Resurrection Health Care receives an estimated $72 million in tax breaks, with West Suburban receiving over $3 million in property tax exemptions alone. With these tax benefits come community obligations.
The Oak Park/Austin Health Alliance was formed to review these issues, develop specific recommendations to address community concerns, and work to open a dialogue with West Suburban Hospital management.
Principle 1: Ensure Access to Health Care for Residents
in Need - with an initial goal of 2% of revenues for free
or discounted care to the uninsured.
Principle 2: Provide Community Benefits, such as mental health programs and an obesity clinic.
Principle 3: Recognize Employees - Right to Organize without fear of retaliation.
Principle 4: Create a Community Outreach Program to inform and get input on major community/patient issues