San Jose community leaders are condemning plans by HCA Healthcare to expand a neighborhood hospital on the western fringe of town while degrading care on the Regional Medical Center on the east side.
In February, HCA Healthcare — considered one of the nation's largest for-profit health care corporations — announced it will close Regional Medical Center's trauma center and downgrade other life-saving programs on Aug. 12. But last week, the corporate reversed its decision and said it will as a substitute downgrade the trauma center from a Level II to a Level III facility. But East San Jose officials criticized the plan, saying it still falls short.
On Wednesday evening, community members continued to rally outside the hospital – this time against HCA's decision to expand Good Samaritan Hospital in a wealthier a part of town just 14 miles away. The project, which is being carried out in compliance with state earthquake regulations, calls for 2 latest hospital wings that may increase the variety of beds from 404 to 419.
San Jose City Councilman Peter Ortiz, who represents the district where the Regional Medical Center is positioned, expressed concern that the HCA is asking town for support for the expansion while cutting medical services, which can particularly affect Latino and Vietnamese immigrant families.
“This shouldn't be a tale of two hospitals,” Ortiz said. “There shouldn't be one hospital on the east side of San Jose and one hospital on the west side of San Jose. We should have one health care system that serves our entire city equally.”
A Regional Medical Center official said in a press release that Good Samaritan Hospital “began the process three years ago to meet California's 2030 earthquake standards.”
“Funding for these state-mandated improvements is not optional and will not impact decisions or investments at other hospitals,” the official said. “Regardless, the service changes we are making at Regional Medical Center are designed to meet the evolving needs of our patients and demonstrate our continued commitment to the East San Jose community.”
But Darcie Green, executive director of the nonprofit Latina Contra Cancer, said community members who’ve been protesting outside the hospital for eight weeks will proceed to fight for higher care. Green said that despite their presence on the Regional Medical Center, they’ve not yet met with hospital leadership. A gathering scheduled for Wednesday afternoon was abruptly canceled.
“We will occupy this lawn for as many weeks as it takes to demand the best health care for the residents of East San Jose and the best health care in this facility for all residents of the county because we deserve it, it is our human right and they have the power to enforce it,” Green said.
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