MILWAUKEE -- Ascension Wisconsin has "decided to pause our plan to reconfigure medical services from St. Joe’s to Columbia St. Mary’s Milwaukee" after recently announcing planned changes. This, after "feedback" from concerned city leaders.
Ascension officials earlier this month said they would keep services at St. Joseph Hospital that they say are needed and used the most, like emergency care, women's health, OBGYN care and the NICU. If someone comes in with something they cannot care for, such as a specialty surgery, they will be transferred to one of Ascension's other five hospitals.
Hospital officials said they were reviewing data across the entire system to determine which services are utilized and most necessary. Other reports detail a trend nationally that hospitals are moving out of inner cities.
"Any time you see fewer health care beds, it's going to have an impact," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said, expressing concern. "I think it's going to be incumbent upon them and other health care providers to make sure that these people are not left behind because we do see a lot of hospital construction, but not a lot of hospital construction in low-income neighborhood."
"When they're not there, who's going to fill that gap?" said Alderman Bob Donovan. "They're nonprofit organizations, and yet what is fueling every decision they make is the bottom line -- is the money. Shame on them."
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The hospital VP said they're not cutting services, but reshaping what is provided.
On Wednesday, April 18, Bernie Sherry, senior VP, Ascension Healthcare, Ministry Market Executive, Ascension Wisconsin issued this statement:
Congresswoman Gwen Moore released this statement after Ascension's announcement that they'll pause the plan to reconfigure services at St. Joseph Hospital:
Alderman Khalif Rainey, who sponsored legislation approved by the Common Council to urge Ascension Wisconsin to reconsider its plans issued this statement:
Alderman Michael Murphy issued this statement: