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Prime Healthcare to Suspend Obstetrical Services at Three Chicago-Area Hospitals to Centralize Care

Prime Healthcare announced it will suspend obstetrical services at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, and Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago starting October 1. The administration plans to consolidate these services into two new Centers of Excellence for Maternal Care at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital and Olympia Fields Hospital. Prime Healthcare cited financial distress, declining birth rates, and low patient volumes at the three locations as reasons for the move. The company stated that concentrating services at established centers will ensure higher quality care and capacity. To support this transition, Prime Healthcare will offer $1 million in grants for community maternal health initiatives and expand partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from local officials and healthcare providers. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood expressed concern over the lack of preparation for patient transportation and transfer agreements. State Senator Rachel Ventura noted the importance of providing nurses with resources for the transition. Meanwhile, the Illinois Nurses Association criticized the move as a focus on profit over community needs. Prime Healthcare stated it will offer impacted employees other positions within the hospital system, noting that over three times the number of impacted positions are currently open.

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