04.22.19

Durbin, Duckworth, Garcia Stand Up For Community In Face Of Potential Closure Of Westlake Hospital

CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL-04) today expressed deep concerns and pressed California-based Pipeline Health on their problematic actions regarding their recently scaled down operations at Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Illinois.  In a letter to Jim Edwards, Pipeline Health CEO, the members urged Pipeline Health to comply with all state rules and regulations, and to ensure the preservation of patient and community access to Westlake’s services throughout this process.  Westlake Hospital is a 225-bed facility that provides 600 jobs to those in the surrounding areas.

“In acquiring Westlake hospital, Pipeline took responsibility for the patients and employees in this community.  The impact of Pipeline’s abrupt attempts to shutter the facility will hit the vulnerable populations that the hospital serves and will disrupt the continuity of care to those in the community,” the members wrote.  “As Westlake awaits any decision or action from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, it is essential that residents of Melrose Park continue to have access to the quality services that Westlake provides—in accordance with all applicable state laws and regulations.”

Pipeline Health, a for-profit California-based health system, recently purchased Westlake Hospital and two other Chicago-area hospitals.  However, shortly after the acquisitions were finalized, Pipeline announced its plans to close Westlake Hospital.  Press reports have indicated that Pipeline has attempted to scale down services prior to state approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Services and Review Board.  On Monday morning, the Cook County State’s Attorney intervened in litigation to block Pipeline’s efforts to close Westlake.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

April 22, 2019

Dear Mr. Edwards:

We write regarding Pipeline’s concerning efforts to begin the process of closing Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park, Illinois.  It has been reported that due to staffing issues, Pipeline Health has recently scaled down operations at Westlake Hospital.  We are deeply concerned about the harm a potential closure poses to quality patient care in Melrose Park and surrounding communities and the burden on Westlake’s local employees.

In acquiring Westlake hospital, Pipeline took responsibility for the patients and employees in this community.  The impact of Pipeline’s abrupt attempts to shutter the facility will hit the vulnerable populations that the hospital serves and will disrupt the continuity of care to those in the community.  As Westlake awaits any decision or action from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, it is essential that residents of Melrose Park continue to have access to the quality services that Westlake provides—in accordance with all applicable state laws and regulations.  The community relies on this hospital, a 225-bed facility that provides 600 jobs to those in the surrounding areas.

We encourage you to comply with all state rules and regulations, and to ensure the preservation of patient and community access to Westlake’s services as a priority for Pipeline Health throughout this process.