Media Advisory:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rick Fuentes
(o) 651-414-2863
(c) 612-741-0662
rick.fuentes@mnnurses.org
Amber Smigiel
(o) 651-414-2849
(c) 651-202-0845
amber.smigiel@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – January 28, 2020 – The No Cuts on Quality Care coalition of concerned community members, organization leaders, nurses, doctors and patients is holding a community forum Tuesday night to discuss the potential cuts and closures at Bethesda and St. Joseph’s hospitals. M Health Fairview CEO James Hereford has been invited to attend but has not responded.
These cuts will have ripple effects at all metro Twin Cities hospitals. Bethesda serves as an intermediate-term care facility that takes patients from many different hospitals in the Twin Cities. Fairview, which now owns HealthEast hospitals, has announced the closure of more than half of Bethesda’s beds by February 10.
St. Joseph’s hospital, the first in St. Paul, also serves a unique patient population, including those with mental health issues. St. Joseph’s is also being targeted for cuts and possible closure.
In addition, a unique program to help hearing-impaired patients struggling with addiction is also due to close.
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2020, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 105 University Avenue West,
St. Paul, MN 55103
Who: Speakers and public participation from coalition groups
What: Public Town Hall Forum
Why: To come up with solutions to stop hospital cuts and closures
Note: An interpreter for the hearing-impaired will be present.
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