Welch Statement on Pipeline Health

HILLSIDE, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, issued the following statement in response to the recent statement made by Pipeline Health:

“Given their recent unethical behavior, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pipeline Health is making a last-second, political stunt and disingenuous offer that shirks the responsibility that they have to our community.

“The fact is, Pipeline Health knew of Westlake Hospital’s financial state when it was purchased, and they continued to promise our community that it would remain open for two years. Rather than honor their promise, they broke their word and chose to take access to healthcare away from a largely black and brown community.

“To make matters worse, when our community stood together demanding access to the care that we were promised, Pipeline made the unconscionable decision to close the hospital months before originally announced. A decision that I believe is direct retribution against our community for having the strength to stand against injustice and demand the healthcare that we were promised.”