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Illinois health regulators denied a Chicago hospital s bid to close its doors due to increased costs and lower utilization. All six board members present at Tuesday s meeting voted against closure.
The plans to end services at Mercy Hospital and Medical Center on Chicago s South Side drew outcry from the community as the facility serves some of the city s most vulnerable residents as a safety net provider. The closure plans were also ill received as it coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been particularly deadly for people of color.
Mercy officials said they were disappointed with Tuesday s outcome.
Thursday, Dec. 17 â This article has been updated with a statement from county Commissioner Bill Lowry.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously today to reject Mercy Hospital s request to close, with regulators agreeing that the health care provider gave vital care to surrounding communities south of downtown.
The Bronzeville hospital is not out of the woods yet, however: WBEZ reports that the operator, Trinity Health, can take Illinois to court or close anyway and take a $10,000 fine on top of $10,000 for every 30 days the hospital stays open without permission from the agency.
WBEZ reports that Mercy is routinely staffing fewer than half of its 400 beds and loses $4 million a month.
Mercy Hospital not allowed to close after unanimous review board vote WLS UP NEXT
The Illinois Hospital Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously Tuesday to deny Mercy Hospital s application to close early next year.
That allows for Mercy to resubmit their application at a later time.
The Bronzeville neighborhood hospital and Chicago s oldest, serves mostly low-income residents, the elderly and people of color. I ve had two strokes and two hear attacks and if it was not for Mercy being here, I don t where I would go, said Brenda Moore.
Moore was one of dozens of residents, hospital patients, activists and medical professionals who offered testimony at the board s hearing.
Published December 15, 2020 •
Updated on December 15, 2020 at 6:09 pm
NBCUniversal Media, LLC
A state board rejected a plan Tuesday to close a Chicago hospital after pleas from the community to keep the doors open.
Trinity Health wants to close Mercy Hospital in Chicago s Bronzeville neighborhood, saying the site is losing money as well as patients. It has proposed to open an outpatient clinic about two miles away.
“Failure to acknowledge the realities of today will mean that the residents of the South Side of Chicago will continue to suffer gross health care inequities,” said John Capasso, a Trinity Health executive vice president.