MELROSE PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside issued the following statement regarding the decision by Pipeline Health to declare Westlake Hospital’s bankruptcy:

“Pipeline Health’s decision to file for bankruptcy in order to shut down Westlake Hospital shows the lengths they will go to put profits ahead of people.

“Instead of fulfilling promises to assist Westlake, as Pipeline’s CEO Jim Edwards declared earlier this year, the for-profit company turned its back on the hospital and the largely black and brown communities that rely on it. We deserve better than this, and I will not stand by and allow a corporation to gamble with the health and well-being of our community for the sake of profit.”

“I will continue fighting to keep Westlake open and serving our most vulnerable residents. It is now more critical than ever that Illinois enact vital legislation to prevent for-profit entities from shutting down hospitals for purely financial reasons. House Bill 123 would require any and all attempts to either close or downsize a hospital to be justified by a certificate of need from the institution’s owner.”

MELROSE PARK, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside and state Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, are applauding a recent court ruling requiring Westlake Hospital to remain open until the judicial system can fully consider the critical services Westlake provides and review the Health Facilities and Services Review Board’s (HFSRB) recent decision regarding the future of the facility.

“This is a major victory for struggling families in our area whose health care was about to be taken away by an out-of-state corporation,” Welch said. “The Review Board’s vote to close Westlake was wrong. I am glad Governor J.B. Pritzker removed his appointees who supported the closure and I encourage him to appoint two new members who will side with our community and protect local access to care.”

Both Welch and Willis have been fighting to keep the Melrose Park-based facility open since Pipeline Health turned its back on Westlake Hospital after they promised to support it. The HFSRB was tasked with reviewing the closure, but voted to allow Pipeline’s plan to close the hospital. Recently, a Cook County judge issued a ruling mandating that Westlake remain open during the court’s review of the HFSRB’s decision to support Pipeline’s closure of the facility.

“We must continue fighting to keep Westlake open and serving our most vulnerable residents,” Willis said. “The communities I represent should not have their health care hanging by a thread because out-of-state billionaires are pushing for higher profits.”

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.”

HILLSIDE, Ill. – In an effort to keep Westlake Hospital open, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, is encouraging residents to attend the meeting of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB) and speak publicly to show strong community support opposing the hospital’s closure on Tuesday, April 30.

“This hearing is vital in determining the fate of Westlake hospital,” Welch said. “I’m continually inspired by the way our community has come together to demand that Pipeline keep the promise that they made to provide access to healthcare to our community.”

Welch is encouraging local residents to attend the Health Facilities Services and Review Board meeting that will decide if Westlake Hospital remains open on Tuesday, April 30 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club located at 2001 Rodeo Dr. in Bolingbrook from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Public sign-in is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

Residents that would like to speak publicly in support of keeping Westlake Hospital must register at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. Further information is included at the following link.

Additionally, PASO – West Suburban Action is organizing a free bus service for residents that wish to attend the meeting. Buses will depart PASO headquarters located 3415 W North Ave. in Melrose Park at 7:30 a.m. To reserve your spot on a bus please contact PASO at (708) 410-2000.

“We are stronger collectively when we stand together,” Welch said. “I encourage residents to bring a friend with them and to sign-up for public comment to convey to HFSRB how critical it is to keep Westlake open for our largely black and brown community.”

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.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Reps. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, and Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, are continuing their push to keep Westlake Hospital open by passing legislation that makes it harder for wealthy health management companies to purchase local hospitals and then close down to pad profits.

“Hospitals need every resource made available to them so they can stay open and continue serving local residents. This is especially true for Westlake, which has served residents for nearly 100 years,” Willis said. “Current law makes very easy for big corporations to put profits ahead of patient care by closing hospitals; my bill repeals that law, making it harder for for-profit entities to shut hospitals down.”

Willis and Welch recently introduced House Bill 123 to make it more difficult for hospitals to close and passed the legislation through the House recently. The bill mandates that any attempt to close or downsize a hospital must be justified by a certificate of need from the institution’s owner. Current law allows for an exemption for a certificate, and the bill corrects this by empowering the governor to reverse a decision made by the Health Facilities Services Review Board regarding those exemptions and potential hospital closures.

Recently, the Melrose Park-located Westlake Hospital was slated to close by its owner, Pipeline Health, after they promised to help the struggling institution. In recent days Pipeline Health announced that they were moving forward with closing Westlake months earlier than originally announced. However, a court order blocking Pipeline from expediting Westlake’s closure was issued this week. This will help keep the hospital open until the Health Facilities Services Review Board can fully review Pipeline’s application. Willis and Welch welcome the ruling, and are continuing to push for a comprehensive process to assure companies consider local health needs before closing facilities like Westlake. 

Westlake Hospital has served residents for nearly a century, and primarily assists black and brown communities. The hospital holds 230 beds and employs nearly 700 people, and closing this facility could result in potentially longer emergency response times and overflow at the Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. Willis’ and Welch’s bill are spearheading this legislation with the hopes of keeping Westlake Hospital open.

“Pipeline officials lied to us when they declared their intent to help prevent Westlake from shutting its doors,” Welch said. “Even more egregiously, when Pipeline saw the vast outpouring of community support to keep Westlake open, they unconscionably backed a plan to close the hospital down months earlier than their initial announcement. We will continue our efforts to keep Westlake open and this legislation is part of that process to ensure that residents have access to quality care.” 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Reps. Kathleen Willis, D-Northlake, and Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, are continuing their push to keep Westlake Hospital open by passing legislation that makes it harder for wealthy health management companies to purchase local hospitals and then close down to pad profits.

“Hospitals need every resource made available to them so they can stay open and continue serving local residents. This is especially true for Westlake, which has served residents for nearly 100 years,” Willis said. “Current law makes very easy for big corporations to put profits ahead of patient care by closing hospitals; my bill repeals that law, making it harder for for-profit entities to shut hospitals down.”

Willis and Welch recently introduced House Bill 123 to make it more difficult for hospitals to close and passed the legislation through the House recently. The bill mandates that any attempt to close or downsize a hospital must be justified by a certificate of need from the institution’s owner. Current law allows for an exemption for a certificate, and the bill corrects this by empowering the governor to reverse a decision made by the Health Facilities Services Review Board regarding those exemptions and potential hospital closures.

Recently, the Melrose Park-located Westlake Hospital was slated to close by its owner, Pipeline Health, after they promised to help the struggling institution. In recent days Pipeline Health announced that they were moving forward with closing Westlake months earlier than originally announced. However, a court order blocking Pipeline from expediting Westlake’s closure was issued this week. This will help keep the hospital open until the Health Facilities Services Review Board can fully review Pipeline’s application. Willis and Welch welcome the ruling, and are continuing to push for a comprehensive process to assure companies consider local health needs before closing facilities like Westlake. 

Westlake Hospital has served residents for nearly a century, and primarily assists black and brown communities. The hospital holds 230 beds and employs nearly 700 people, and closing this facility could result in potentially longer emergency response times and overflow at the Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. Willis’ and Welch’s bill are spearheading this legislation with the hopes of keeping Westlake Hospital open.

“Pipeline officials lied to us when they declared their intent to help prevent Westlake from shutting its doors,” Welch said. “Even more egregiously, when Pipeline saw the vast outpouring of community support to keep Westlake open, they unconscionably backed a plan to close the hospital down months earlier than their initial announcement. We will continue our efforts to keep Westlake open and this legislation is part of that process to ensure that residents have access to quality care.” 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, helped legislation aimed at blocking the Pipeline Health’s decision to close Westlake Hospital pass out of the House Appropriations-Human Services Committee yesterday.

“As our community stands united against Westlake’s closure, I am fighting in Springfield to examine every avenue possible to keep Westlake open,” Welch said. “This proposal will help stop Pipeline’s misguided decision that would decimate care for families in our neighborhoods.”

The Welch-sponsored House Bill 123 requires additional documentation and permitting to close a hospital and gives the governor the ability to reverse a decision made to permit the closure of a hospital by the Health Facilities Services Review Board (HFRSB). The proposal passed out of committee this week and awaits further action on the House floor.

Pipeline Health finalized the purchase of a three-hospital system that included Westlake Hospital earlier this year. Recently, Pipeline Health made the decision to begin the process to close Westlake Hospital, causing a major pushback from local officials and residents who felt blindsided by Pipeline’s decision. The prospect of closing any hospital in the system was not approached during the negotiations of the purchase of the health care system and Pipeline even pledged to turn around the financially struggling facilities. 

“While passing this proposal out of committee was another positive step, our community’s fight continues,” Welch said. “We must remain vigilant and continue our efforts to keep Westlake open.”

Welch is encouraging local residents to send a letter opposing Westlake’s closure to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board, located at 525 W. Jefferson St. in Springfield. Welch’s office has a template letter that residents may sign. To receive a copy of the letter contact Welch’s office by phone at 708-450-1000 or by email at repwelch@emanuelchriswelch.com. Additionally, Welch is also encouraging residents to voice their opposition to Westlake’s closure by calling HFSRB at 217-782-3516. All public comments must be received by close of business on April 10.