Neighboring hospitals brace for impact

April 3, 2008
By Steve Metsch, Staff Writer
The closing of St. Francis Hospital and Health Center in Blue Island "is not news anybody wanted to hear" and will impact other hospitals, Kurt Johnson said Wednesday.

Johnson is president of Ingalls Health System in Harvey.

"Obviously, the closure of a major health care provider will have implications for all hospitals, physicians and patients in the south suburbs," he said.

Ingalls and other hospitals are in the process of evaluating the possible impact on service.

Mary Freyer, chief operating officer of Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, called the closing "a loss for the Southland community."

People with doctors affiliated with St. Francis but not Little Company of Mary may call the latter's Physician Match hot line at (70 423-3070 to find a new doctor and learn about insurance coverage, Freyer said.

St. Francis workers losing their jobs may apply at St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields, president Seth C.R. Warren said in a prepared statement.

"As a Catholic hospital serving this region, our hearts go out to the many employees and the affected patients who may be displaced as a result of the closing of St. Francis," Warren said.

The closure "is a reminder that hospitals in the region need to work in conjunction with our state legislators and agencies to ensure there is sufficient access to health care for all," Warren said.

Officials of Advocate Health Care - which operates Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest and Trinity Hospital in Chicago - took a wait-and-see approach.

"It's too soon to know what, if any, implications this will have for our hospitals," said Kelly Jo Golson, vice president of communications for Advocate Health Care.

Officials expect to meet with ambulance companies in the coming weeks to determine where patients will be taken instead of St. Francis' emergency room.

The closure has Johnson is concerned for people without insurance.

"They have fewer options. Look at what's happening in Cook County, which is cutting back on community clinics," Johnson said. "The safety net has begun to erode."

Steve Metsch may be contacted at smetsch@southtownstar.com or (70 633-5996.


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