Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde Opposes Cuts to St. Joe’s

MILWAUKEE – In a statement released today, County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde expressed his concerns about Ascension Wisconsin’s announcement that it will cut core services and staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood.

“As Chair of the Milwaukee County Board’s Health and Human Needs Committee, I am deeply troubled by the news that Wisconsin’s second largest health care system is cutting core services to the only hospital located on Milwaukee’s northwest side.

“Ascension’s announcement that it will cut services at St. Joseph’s Hospital has created a great deal of anxiety for many people in the community, and I share the frustration of my neighbors.

“I’m hearing from people who are wondering where they will go to get the health care they need, and from workers who are worried about losing their jobs and source of income.

“Ascension’s decision to eliminate core services such as surgeries and in-patient overnight stays is particularly troubling in light of a commitment that Ascension made just eight months ago to maintain services at St. Joseph’s.

“One has to ask why services are not being cut at St. Mary’s on the affluent east side of Milwaukee, a hospital with more than double the financial losses of St. Joe’s.

“Ascension’s decision to cut services when the company is growing, and when top executives are making multi-million dollar salaries – including a $17 million payout for their CEO in 2014 – suggest that we are not getting the full story.

“How can Ascension claim to honor their own mission, which declares that it will give “special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” when they cut core functions at a hospital serving a low income population suffering from severe racial disparities in health outcomes?

“I hope Ascension will reconsider this decision and work with community leaders to find better solutions.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.