CHI ST. JOSEPH HEALTH TO END OPERATIONS AT BELLVILLE HOSPITAL
CHI St. Joseph Health will soon no longer operate in Bellville.
According to a release from CHI St. Joseph Health and the Bellville Hospital District, the two decided to end their operations lease agreement today (Tuesday). CHI St. Joseph will wind down hospital operations over the next 90 days, and will no longer operate Bellville Hospital as of May 7th.
Bellville Hospital District Board Chair Tony Causey said the hospital intends to find a partner to continue operations.
CHI St. Joseph began operations at Bellville Hospital in 2013. Hospital officials said it has been very difficult to keep a model of rural healthcare in the community, due to the amount of healthcare options available surrounding Bellville and Austin County.
CHI St. Joseph CEO Theron Park said the hospital is doing what it can to make sure patients and employees are taken care of, and that there is an orderly transition. He thanked Bellville Hospital for its service to the community over the past 90 years.
More information will be given about the transition and winding down of operations over the next few weeks and months. In the meantime, Bellville Hospital will remain in operation, and changes in services will be announced as soon as they become available.
Lives will be lost as more and more rural health centers shutdown. The states refusal to take FREE Medicaid dollars is at the bottom of this wood pile, no matter what else is used as an excuse. More than one honest area doctor shared this fact with me. Two steps backwards for the citizens healthcare.
You are right about the Medicaid factor. This is really sad and bad and I’m not glad.