Roseland Community Hospital Remains Open

Roseland Community Hospital, 67 W. 111th St. will remain open thanks to $350,000 in emergency funding from the state of Illinois. Hospital CEO Dian Powell, maintained the state owed the hospital $6 million in back-payments, stepped down following that announcement last week.
Roseland Community Hospital, 67 W. 111th St. will remain open thanks to $350,000 in emergency funding from the state of Illinois. Hospital CEO Dian Powell, maintained the state owed the hospital $6 million in back-payments, stepped down following that announcement last week.

By Deborah Bayliss

Roseland Community Hospital avoided having to close its doors last week after receiving last-minute emergency funding from the state.

“We are open and in full operation,” said Sharon Thurman, a hospital spokesperson. “We never stopped taking patients and we did not have to transfer any patients to other hospitals.”

Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn issued a statement last week calling Roseland Community Hospital a community anchor and that he would do what he could to protect patients and employees.

“This temporary relief will allow their doors to remain open and continue to provide critical care services,” Quinn said after releasing $350,000 in emergency funding to the hospital last week. “However, this is not a long-term solution. The hospital must take the necessary steps to develop a plan for a sustainable future.”

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly issued a statement thanking the Gov. for releasing the funds saying, “From the beginning of our discussions on Roseland Hospital, the Governor and I have been in agreement that Roseland is a vital community resource but that substantial structural changes were necessary in order for the hospital to operate in a fiscally responsible manner."

The hospital’s chief executive officer Dian Powell who stepped down following the closure announcement last Monday afternoon, maintained the state owed $6 million in back pay--something hospital officials are now saying was incorrect.

Additionally, state officials said all payments owed to the hospital for this fiscal year have been advanced to the hospital. In fact, Ill. Sen. Emil Jones III said in a released statement issued last week, that on April 15, Roseland Community Hospital was advised by the state that any further assistance would require the hospital to perform a feasibility study to show long-term stability and make administrative changes.

For two months, according to the Gov.’s office, top health care advisors met with the hospital and requested critical information that would allow the state to consider emergency assistance.

Powell said she submitted a sustainability plan that lays out the budget and plans on how the hospital will operate going forward and said that she spoke with the Gov. and told him that she would send him an itemized bill demonstrating why the state owes $6 million.

“In this morning’s press conference, (Roseland Hospital) officials claimed that the state owed them over $6 million, which is false,” Jones stated.” “The state has completely rectified its debt and gave and advanced payment of over $1 million in Critical Hospital Adjustment Payment advancement to help when (hospital officials) asked for assistance initially.

Jones stated further that he “desperately” wants Roseland Hospital to continue providing health care services for the Greater Roseland Area.

“It’s no secret the Roseland community has a shortage of hospitals and for many residents, Roseland Community Hospital is the only accessible and affordable health care facility,” Jones stated. “I’m sure a reasonable and responsible solution is within our grips but during this time of fiscal uncertainty, we can’t afford to give money to any entity that isn’t willing to make a responsible effort.”

When asked whether there’s hope Roseland Community Hospital will remain open after the emergency funds are exhausted, State Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita said it will depend on the hospital’s long term strategy (mandated by the Gov.) they must now implement.

"I hope they can stay open," Rita said. "There is the possibility of partnership with another hospital such as Loretto Hospital (on Chicago's West Side or Metro South Hospital in Blue Island as a way to keep the hospital open."

As a condition of the state’s emergency assistance, independent financial experts will conduct a comprehensive review of the hospital’s budget, operations and finances. In addition, the hospital is supposed to select an independent chief restructuring officer to oversee its operations and development of a long-term plan.

State officials will work with the hospital to identify potential partners and available resources in order to develop a plan for long-term stability.

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