Welch Statement on Review Board’s Decision to Allow for Closure of Westlake Hospital

HILLSIDE, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, issued the following statement in response to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) decision to allow the closure of Westlake Hospital to move forward:

“The Review Board’s decision to let Pipeline Health get away with misleading residents of the community they pledged to serve is disappointing, but far from the end of my effort to protect access to health care in our community.

“Out-of-state billionaires should not be able to come into our community and deny care to low-income black and brown families. Our community has a right to the health care that we were promised.

“Over the course of the next few days, I plan on continuing discussions with local residents, activists and elected officials to determine our next best course of action in our fight to keep Westlake open.”