WC Wisconsin News

Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) has expressed his disappointment over the closure of two hospitals in western Wisconsin. Hospital Sisters Health System announced the closure of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, while Prevea Health has closed all its facilities in the Chippewa Valley.

Van Orden stated, "I am very disappointed to see the closure of Hospital Sisters Health System's Sacred Health and St. Joseph's hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, and Prevea Health's closure of all its facilities throughout the Chippewa Valley. Rural communities are continuously left on the sidelines when it comes to accessible healthcare, and these hospital closures will only make it more difficult for Wisconsinites to get the medical care they need."

The closure of these hospitals has resulted in over 1,000 healthcare workers losing their jobs. Van Orden also highlighted the impact on rural Wisconsin families, who are now left without accessible medical care. He emphasized the significance of this issue for the Third District, stating, "This directly impacts the wellbeing of the Third District, and I am working closely with Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls officials to help folks maintain their access to care through alternative sites, including telehealth, and make sure that rural Wisconsin is not forgotten about."

Van Orden further attributed the struggles faced by rural healthcare systems to the economic policies of the Biden administration, stating, "Rural healthcare systems across the nation are struggling under crippling inflation driven by the Biden administration's poor economic policies."

The congressman's focus is on finding alternative solutions to ensure that the impacted communities can still receive the necessary medical care. He is working closely with local officials to explore options such as telehealth to maintain access to care.

The closure of these hospitals highlights the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities in accessing healthcare. Van Orden's efforts to address the issue and work towards alternative solutions demonstrate his commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents in the Third District.