Service reductions by Ascension Health Services stand to negatively impact the community

Recently, Ascension Health Services announced service reductions at various sites throughout the region. Initially, the impact of these service reductions was murky, but after conversations with Fire Chief Lipski and others, it has become abundantly clear that the closure of catheterization (cath) lab services at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the 7^th District stands to be a massive detriment to the community.

Cardiac cath labs are crucial for providing health services to those suffering heart attacks and cardiac arrest. The closing of the cath lab at St. Joseph’s means that patients will have to be transported to Froedtert, St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee, and Aurora Grafton when suffering one of these cardiac events. Those hospitals account for 15 – 30 minutes of extra drive time from St. Joseph’s, extra time that could literally mean the difference between life and death.

The change will result in nearly 115,000 residents in the City of Milwaukee no longer being within a 15-minute drive of a cath lab, and the vast majority of those residents are Black. In a city where Black residents already have disproportionate health outcomes, the decision by Ascension to close this life-saving unit in the heart of the city is far from equitable.

Beyond what is stated above, there is much to consider with this decision, and the public deserves a full and transparent discussion related to the ripple effects of Ascension’s decision. As such, I have sponsored a communication file that will be before the Public Safety and Health Committee this Thursday, December 5 at 9 a.m.

I will also be joined by Chief Lipski and other community stakeholders for a press conference in the first floor rotunda of City Hall (200 E. Wells St.) at 8:30 a.m. prior to the start of the committee meeting on Thursday. The community deserves to know the extent of this decision and Ascension must be held accountable.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.