Save Kenneth Hall Hospital

“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>What happens to a city

when it loses one of its most valuable resources? That’s the

question East St. Louis residents may face, if the powers that be

of Southern Illinois Health Care Foundation have their way in terms

of closing the doors of Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Kenneth Hall Regional

hospital has served East St. Louis residents for as long as I can

remember. When Christian Welfare Hospital closed its doors, Kenneth

Hall (or St. Mary’s, as it was known to us back then) took on the

task of serving East St. Louisians for both our physical and mental

health needs, and did it so well.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Although Touchette

Regional Hospital was also available to those in East St. Louis and

all within the St. Clair and Madison county area, the distances for

those of us without transportation to get to Touchette Regional was

much too risky for victims of stroke, heart attack or gunshot

wound.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>I am in no way knocking

the quality of Touchette Hospital, but to add on more patients to

the overflowing patient population you already have can be a heavy

burden on your medical staff, not to mention the patients

themselves, who may not be able to get that one-on-one attention

that they may have been used to.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Closing the doors of

Kenneth Hall would put such a burden on the neighborhood clinics

and mental health agencies. It would place a tremendous burden on

these remaining medical and mental health services to provide

quality care for so many who will not have access to neighboring

hospitals.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Also, the jobs that

would be lost in East St. Louis if the hospital closes would be a

blow the city cannot afford.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>I am calling on all who

care about quality health care to join in the fight to save Kenneth

Hall Hospital. In a nation like this, no one deserves to receive

medical care from an over-crowded, under-staffed medical

facility.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>I urge all of you to do

what you can to help a city and its people from losing their

lifeline. Today East St. Louis, tomorrow your city.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Call Southern Illinois

Health Care at 1-618-332-3060 and let them know that the human

rights soldiers are ready to fight for their brothers and

sisters.

“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Also, send the Health

Facilities Service Review Board your feelings and opinions about

closing the hospital. Fax your testimony to 217-785-4111 by April

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Save Kenneth Hall Hospital

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