Western Wisconsin leaders focus on future health care expansion despite delays in state aid

In western Wisconsin, funding to expand hospital services continues to be delayed due to disputes between state officials. As a result, local leaders face uncertainty about the future of health care in the region.

The state Legislature in February approved a bill allocating $15 million in grants to support hospital emergency departments in Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

This funding was provided in response to the closure of two hospital and clinic networks by Hospital Sisters Health System and Prevea Health. Hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls will officially close on March 22nd, and most clinics are scheduled to close by April 21st.

Gov. Tony Evers used a partial veto in February when he signed a bill creating new grants, making them available to support needed hospital services in western Wisconsin. .

In response, the state Legislature's Consolidated Finance Committee refused to release the funds. Evers had convened the committee Tuesday to approve the funding, along with $125 million for PFAS mitigation. However, the committee co-chairs, Sen. Howard McClain (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Mark Vaughn (R-Beaver Dam), refused to meet and the original bill in a statement criticizing Evers' decision not to sign the .

“Instead,[Evers]vetoed a bill that would have created a program to mitigate PFAS. He then used his line-item veto to remove funding for emergency medical services in the Chippewa Valley from Wisconsin. “Governor Evers has disappointed the people of Wisconsin, and that was not the case,” the lawmakers said in a statement last week. Legislature. ”

Democratic Sen. Kelda Royce of Madison, who also serves on the Consolidated Finance Committee, criticized the lack of Republican action. She said hospital closures were a “real crisis” for people in affected areas, particularly emergency departments and labor and delivery services.

“If you think about it from a logistical and human standpoint, there is a significant medical shortage in the state, and some of these patients will not have a place to get care,” Lloyds said.

Local leaders focus on future of health services

Greg Hoffman is the mayor of Chippewa Falls, which lost HSHS St. Joseph Hospital and Substance Abuse Recovery Center as part of the closure. He said there has been minimal disruption to the community over the last month, especially after other health care providers in the region came forward to accept more patients.

But Hoffman said he and other leaders remain concerned about hospital capacity in the broader region.

“This includes a huge area, not just Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire,” he said. “So when you start seeing that, you start to feel a little panicky.”

Hoffman said he is concerned that local emergency departments will be overwhelmed. But he said the biggest need is more general hospital beds and mental health services. His HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire is the only hospital in the area that offers inpatient behavioral health services for minors, and his treatment center in Chippewa Falls offers both inpatient and outpatient services. I did.

“There's a really big gap when it comes to mental health issues,” he says.

Hoffman said his main focus will continue to be to support the development of new hospitals in the region. Oakleaf Medical Network, a private physician group, established a nonprofit cooperative in the area to open the new facility. Hoffman said construction is progressing, but it will be three to four years before the new hospital opens.

He said he is frustrated by the lack of support from state officials beyond releasing funds that have already been approved.

“I feel like they cut us off and left us hanging out here,” Hoffman said. “Because if they really wanted to help us, they would say $50 million to $100 million, let alone $15 million.”

A task force formed by the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is also looking into possible expansion, pending state funding. David Miner, the organization's president and CEO, told WEAU-TV on Tuesday how the Mayo Clinic and Marshfield Clinic health systems could leverage state funding. He said he was waiting to hear back from him. He said support for expansion remains at the top of the list.

“We have been discussing the situation at least every other week with the top leadership here in Eau Claire and getting updates on when they feel the plan has been fully vetted and can be announced.” We can help them,” Miner told WEAU-TV.