>> 2 Chicago area hospitals are at risk of shutting their doors completely.

>> Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown close last week just before its agreement with the Medicare and Medicaid system was set to lapse Park's west suburban medical center is facing a similar fate.

Here's the scene from last Friday's rally outside of Weis.

>> We're here today because this is sacred ground.

This hospital is where many of our community members were born.

And also where many of our community members have passed on.

We're here today because we cannot allow.

This be close.

This is a community disaster.

>> And this all comes on the heels of federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which these hospitals depend on.

But some community members argue that's not the only problem.

Joining us now with more are Lily lay the community organizing director of the Vietnamese Association of Illinois, Uptown resident and longtime Wise hospital patients.

Kim nom and via Zoom State, Representative Pond when whose 13th district includes uptown.

We also invited Weiss Memorial Hospital and west Suburban medical center to join us.

But we have not heard back.

I think the 3 of you for joining us.

So Lilly Weiss and west Suburban to both classified a safety net hospitals primarily serving low income communities.

Weiss also serves a large portion of the city's Vietnamese community.

Where are patients supposed to go now that most of weiss's operations are closed?

It's really uncertain.

And I think that's why we're worried and why this situation is so dire because >> in the short term, right, there's been a Band-Aid solutions that have been suggested by the management which also has not been communicating well with its patients and with our community.

In fact, were really late to inform the elected officials.

The committee members about the funding cut that was passed.

I mean, the deadline for the funding cut.

Yeah.

And so while in the short term, right, people are being transferred out on and they're only providing outpatient services in the long term.

There's a lot of concern about how do remain maintain access to affordable health care to most vulnerable folks in our community, such as our seniors, low-income folks at immigrants.

>> Is Kim, you are a long-time resident of Uptown, a patient of Weiss.

You give birth to all 3 of your children What was your reaction when you learned that it be closing?

>> I was a worry at said.

It's not happy.

So because that I and my my 3 children was unfair and even I have the sofa.

See the outpatient.

The fact that step up steal and 2 now.

And so my next appointment, he said that makes we be tomorrow.

You had tomorrow.

But become has so light up the pot is makes it to the field.

Thing to Weiss has they stay with the So we still continue to see the so you can still get value service to have you received any other communication about the hospital closing?

No, they Yes.

So we to slow down.

said I about a week.

Yeah.

and the unit nice association.

So it's a windy day so that and so that is by the time we don't have any keep caring no time to prepare way them.

>> Representative, when you have a personal connection to Weis as well as a refugee.

Tell us about the significance of the hospital to you, but also to the community.

>> Absolutely.

Thanks so much Brandis.

It's a pleasure to be here today.

And I think this has us has been shaped by but Lilly and this came as it's been very detrimental to out in the great refugees community.

This hospital has served and the Uptown neighborhood for the last 70 plus years.

And it's really been a refuge for folks to come for emergency services for health care services per for preventive care.

And so we've seen really this management has failed on all respects when it comes to taking care internal operations.

And we're seeing this play out.

We were seeing the loss of jobs as well in this neighborhood, from nurses from frontline workers doctors.

So this hospital means a lot to me.

It means a lot to the immigrant refugee Committee.

I myself am a refugee from Vietnam as well.

And I am have also been a patient this hospital.

So we are certainly feeling the devastation right now for our working class families for our seniors and for all communities of color.

Right now, cross the North.

I lakefront.

>> Representative, you've you've said that the hospital CEO Dr Minutes per side of resilience, health care.

He also owns west Suburban medical center.

You see that he's mismanaged the hospital.

How so?

>> Yeah, we we have seen through the last couple of cycles mismanagement of this hospital when we had federal regulars come in and survey the hospital, they found violations.

When you come to nursing staffing needs when it comes public health conditions.

When it comes to food, safety and food handling regulations as well.

And so we have heard this from patients on the ground who have suffered and this hospital.

And the other thing I would say is this is is also of multi dimensional problem.

And not only is the hospital mismanaged, but is also in this moment in time where we have and this station that is straight down health care facilities across this country with the big ugly bill that is going really target Alberta, double communities in blue states.

And so we're seeing again, the removal of another health care facility that's going exacerbate the damage that's been done already by MAGA Republicans.

And it's going to further good health care system us.

Well, I want to mention that we did reach out to Dr Persaud of resilience, health care in the hospitals.

We have not heard back from them just yet.

>> Lily, what other ways do you think the doctor and hospital leadership could be keeping the hospitals open?

>> definitely many possibilities, right?

First of all, I just want to name that this is a situation that has already happened to another hospital in the past Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville.

And it was a very similar scenario.

But that's when the community, the Union Hospital staff and elected officials in the area, right all came together to say that hospital and now it's fully operational as Inside Hospital.

And I think the same right efforts and urgency is required in the situation again.

Lakers Point said this is a preventable situation and also still a situation that can be fixed and it's very important, right?

Dr Persaud does what is very well within his power to save the hospital right now.

And also that the federal government, our U.S. senators and senators, Representative Schakowsky, Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, right, that they have the power to with the Center for Medicare, Medicaid Services and make sure that, you know, this situation indeed.

This you do know yet where you'll receive medical care from?

>> I don't know yet.

So because that they so quickly and then sold it in us thing about it yet.

But have the chance to yeah have that and then but tomorrow employment.

So I love you.

And I continue to has said that act what they give me any opinion the Get me on.

Maybe I think over to places that you can representative when we've got about 30 seconds left, what are you doing at the state level to address this issue?

What can you do?

>> Yes, at the state level we are looking.

all solutions right now.

We have allocated additional funding to Weiss also in this year's budget.

So we are looking at that to make sure that those she just improvements are being made right now.

I hospital and then we would have to work twice.

Hospital and management, new management to make sure that we applied for a friend a minute.

that's best of luck right now, OK?

And that appreciated.

That is where will actually have to leave it.

The best of luck in the