Latest news with #PrimeHealthcare
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Prime Healthcare cutting about 100 jobs across its Illinois facilities, months after acquiring hospitals from Ascension
Prime Healthcare, which bought eight Illinois hospitals earlier this year, is eliminating more than 100 jobs, the hospital system confirmed Monday. Prime made most of the reductions Friday, and will continue cutting other jobs through July. 'As we continue to offer and create opportunities, we are also evaluating alignment with best practices and support from our national and regional teams,' Prime said in a statement. 'Through this process, there is a small number of positions that are duplicated or not aligned with the care model and service line offerings — most of them not directly providing patient care — that will be consolidated.' None of the affected jobs are union positions, according to Prime. Prime hired 13,000 workers from Ascension when it bought the hospitals from that health system, and has created nearly 1,000 new jobs since the acquisition. The job cuts represent less than 1% of the combined 14,000 employees, according to the statement. 'Importantly, these efforts will not affect the quality of care we deliver to the communities we serve and in fact will help expand best practices from across the nation,' Prime said in the statement. 'All decisions made at our Illinois facilities are guided by our mission to improve quality, strengthen care delivery, preserve access in underserved areas and ensure long-term sustainability.' The California-based Prime bought the Illinois hospitals for more than $370 million in March. Six of the hospitals sold to Prime changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for-profit hospitals as part of the sale. Hospitals that were sold include St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora and St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. The job cuts are the latest in a string of changes Prime has made since closing the deal, drawing criticism from elected officials and a nurses union. Prime announced in April that it planned to suspend inpatient pediatric care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, saying at the time that the unit had been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care had grown. The Illinois Nurses Association condemned the move, arguing it would hurt the community, which only has one hospital. Also, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora lost its designation in April as a Level II trauma center. Prime also suspended obstetrical services at St. Mary's in Kankakee after the hospital's 'nearly sole obstetrics physician' retired, and because of low demand, Prime has said. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth sent a letter to Prime's chairman, founder and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy in May expressing concern about those changes and asking Prime to elaborate on the reasons behind them and its future plans for the hospitals. Prime responded to that letter last week, emphasizing its mission of turning around struggling community hospitals across the country. Prime said that before it bought the hospitals in Illinois they were losing about $200 million a year. Prime said maintaining services with low patient demand is not sustainable, nor good for the quality of care. Prime also told the senators it plans to expand behavioral health care services for seniors at its Illinois facilities. In its statement Monday, Prime said it has started fulfilling a previously stated commitment to invest $250 million across the Illinois hospitals. Prime said those affected by the job cuts are invited to apply for any of the more than 900 open positions across its Illinois facilities. The job cuts were first reported by the Herald News.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Daywatch: Purple Heart returned to family of WWII veteran
Good morning, Chicago. In the hard-fought campaign to liberate the Philippines during World War II, 22-year-old Army Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord of suburban Lansing was hit with shrapnel during a key battle on the island of Luzon. Van Der Noord survived — as did three brothers who also served their country in the war — and earned a Purple Heart for the combat injury he suffered in May 1945. This month, as Memorial Day approached, Van Der Noord's firstborn grandchild Chris Reed held the heart-shaped medal for the first time in about 25 years after Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs presented it to him during a poignant ceremony in Atlanta. Read the full story from the Tribune's Christy Gutowski. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how Chicago aldermen voted on a plan designed to curb 'teen takeovers,' remembering actor George Wendt and 15 restaurant and bar specials over Memorial Day weekend. Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History A federal judge ruled that U.S. officials must retain custody and control of migrants apparently removed to South Sudan in case he orders their removals were unlawful. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts issued the ruling after an emergency hearing, after attorneys for immigrants said the Trump administration appears to have begun deporting people from Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan — despite a court order restricting removals to other countries. A group representing victims sexually abused by Catholic priests alleged Pope Leo XIV has exhibited a 'pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims,' including allegations that the Chicago-born pontiff mishandled multiple cases while in prominent leadership roles in the city. The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system's plans. 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter. Chicago aldermen advanced a measure yesterday designed to curb so-called teen takeovers with curfews after the ordinance's lead sponsor made a pivotal tweak to the measure. Downtown Ald. Brian Hopkins substituted a new version of his teen curfew ordinance that places the power to declare three-hour 'snap curfews' targeting specific areas solely in the hands of Chicago's police superintendent. Ethics board cites 7 aldermen for being late filing their annual financial interest forms Zoning Committee defers action on massive River West apartment complex, as labor unions press developer for an agreement Illinois gun dealers were unable to sell ammunition yesterday after a portion of the Illinois State Police website used for verifying firearm owner ID cards was shut down for maintenance. The state police said the website will remain inactive until 4 p.m. today. Naperville police have yet again made a firearm-related arrest in the Naperville Topgolf parking lot. There have now been 10 such arrests in or near the business' lot this year. Luis Robert Jr. briefly took up the role of a general manager when the topic of trade talks came up yesterday afternoon at Rate Field. 'I think right now, as my season is going, I don't think anybody is going to take a chance on me,' Robert said through an interpreter in a lighthearted moment. Robert's name had been mentioned in trade speculation during the offseason. The chatter hasn't died down much in the regular season, even though the Chicago White Sox center fielder is off to a slow start. Despite tough conditions, Adrian Houser shines in White Sox debut — a 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners NFL owners have unanimously approved permission for players to participate in flag football in the 2028 Olympics. The flag football vote was a given. The hard part for league owners this week at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel is determining the fate of the tush push. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, offering a long weekend to enjoy the weather while drinking plenty of rosé and beer and feasting on food best enjoyed outdoors like hot dogs and seafood boils. The weekend kicks off festival season, but also offers the opportunity to mark the holiday by supporting veterans and service members. However you'd like to celebrate, these 15 events have you covered. George Wendt, the actor and comedian who cut his teeth at Chicago's improvisational comedy troupe Second City before finding fame as part of the ensemble cast of the beloved 1980s NBC sitcom 'Cheers,' has died. He was 76. Those who knew Wendt personally could attest to his unassuming, approachable manner, and the fact that an actor with such tremendous Hollywood success never allowed stardom to go to his head. Instead, Wendt endeared himself to fans both onstage in TV, films and stage productions and also offstage — particularly in his native Chicago — as a down-to-Earth, sports-loving guy always quick with wry, Norm-ish observations and a perpetual insistence that his writers were the ones doing the real work.
Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Daywatch: Purple Heart returned to family of WWII veteran
Good morning, Chicago. In the hard-fought campaign to liberate the Philippines during World War II, 22-year-old Army Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord of suburban Lansing was hit with shrapnel during a key battle on the island of Luzon. Van Der Noord survived — as did three brothers who also served their country in the war — and earned a Purple Heart for the combat injury he suffered in May 1945. This month, as Memorial Day approached, Van Der Noord's firstborn grandchild Chris Reed held the heart-shaped medal for the first time in about 25 years after Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs presented it to him during a poignant ceremony in Atlanta. Read the full story from the Tribune's Christy Gutowski. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how Chicago aldermen voted on a plan designed to curb 'teen takeovers,' remembering actor George Wendt and 15 restaurant and bar specials over Memorial Day weekend. Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History A federal judge ruled that U.S. officials must retain custody and control of migrants apparently removed to South Sudan in case he orders their removals were unlawful. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts issued the ruling after an emergency hearing, after attorneys for immigrants said the Trump administration appears to have begun deporting people from Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan — despite a court order restricting removals to other countries. A group representing victims sexually abused by Catholic priests alleged Pope Leo XIV has exhibited a 'pattern of failure to properly investigate abuse claims,' including allegations that the Chicago-born pontiff mishandled multiple cases while in prominent leadership roles in the city. The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system's plans. 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter. Chicago aldermen advanced a measure yesterday designed to curb so-called teen takeovers with curfews after the ordinance's lead sponsor made a pivotal tweak to the measure. Downtown Ald. Brian Hopkins substituted a new version of his teen curfew ordinance that places the power to declare three-hour 'snap curfews' targeting specific areas solely in the hands of Chicago's police superintendent. Illinois gun dealers were unable to sell ammunition yesterday after a portion of the Illinois State Police website used for verifying firearm owner ID cards was shut down for maintenance. The state police said the website will remain inactive until 4 p.m. today. Naperville police have yet again made a firearm-related arrest in the Naperville Topgolf parking lot. There have now been 10 such arrests in or near the business' lot this year. Luis Robert Jr. briefly took up the role of a general manager when the topic of trade talks came up yesterday afternoon at Rate Field. 'I think right now, as my season is going, I don't think anybody is going to take a chance on me,' Robert said through an interpreter in a lighthearted moment. Robert's name had been mentioned in trade speculation during the offseason. The chatter hasn't died down much in the regular season, even though the Chicago White Sox center fielder is off to a slow start. NFL owners have unanimously approved permission for players to participate in flag football in the 2028 Olympics. The flag football vote was a given. The hard part for league owners this week at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel is determining the fate of the tush push. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, offering a long weekend to enjoy the weather while drinking plenty of rosé and beer and feasting on food best enjoyed outdoors like hot dogs and seafood boils. The weekend kicks off festival season, but also offers the opportunity to mark the holiday by supporting veterans and service members. However you'd like to celebrate, these 15 events have you covered. George Wendt, the actor and comedian who cut his teeth at Chicago's improvisational comedy troupe Second City before finding fame as part of the ensemble cast of the beloved 1980s NBC sitcom 'Cheers,' has died. He was 76. Those who knew Wendt personally could attest to his unassuming, approachable manner, and the fact that an actor with such tremendous Hollywood success never allowed stardom to go to his head. Instead, Wendt endeared himself to fans both onstage in TV, films and stage productions and also offstage — particularly in his native Chicago — as a down-to-Earth, sports-loving guy always quick with wry, Norm-ish observations and a perpetual insistence that his writers were the ones doing the real work.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals
Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are questioning a California-based health system that recently bought eight Illinois hospitals, after cuts to services at several of those locations. The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy on Tuesday expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system's plans. 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter. They also urged Prime 'to immediately reconsider these decisions, as the consequences of these reductions hold the potential to strip patients of critical and specialized care, impose additional barriers to accessing care, and exacerbate the existing health care needs in the communities these hospitals serve.' A spokesperson for Prime did not immediately provide comment Tuesday afternoon. Prime, which is a for-profit company, bought the eight Illinois hospitals in March for more than $370 million from Ascension, a large Catholic health system. Most of the hospitals sold to Prime changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for-profit hospitals as part of the sale. The hospitals that were sold include Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee and St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Less than two months after the sale, Prime announced that it planned to suspend inpatient pediatric care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet — a move affecting two doctors and eight staff members. Prime said in a statement at the time that the unit had been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care had grown. The decision drew criticism from the Illinois Nurses Association, which said, in part, the suspension would hurt the community, which only has one hospital. In recent years, many community hospitals in Illinois have closed their inpatient pediatric units, citing decreased demand. Also, in April, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora lost its designation as a Level II trauma center. The Illinois Department of Public Health alleged in a letter to the hospital that at several points over the last few months (both before and after Prime's purchase) Mercy did not have the staff to cover essential services required of a Level II trauma center. At the time, a spokesperson for the hospital told the Tribune that the hospital had already started the process of voluntarily withdrawing its designation before the letter was received, because of a decline in Level II trauma patients. In their letter, Durbin and Duckworth also criticize 'the recent termination of comprehensive obstetric and maternal care services at St. Mary's in Kankakee.' '… As the grip of for-profit hospital systems tightens across our nation's health care networks, profitability has risen as a primary indicator of success for hospital owners,' the senators wrote in their letter. 'When operations are centered around a hospital's ability to generate as much profit as possible, it often comes at the expense of patients, staff, and the quality and safety of care.' The senators are asking Reddy to answer a number of questions by June 10, including how Prime plans to compensate for the loss of certain services in communities served by those hospitals, how much money Prime anticipates saving as a result of the changes, and whether Prime has plans to shut down other facilities or reduce other services in the future. The senators are also questioning Reddy about a statement made in an application to the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board at the time the ownership change was proposed, saying, '… at this time, no changes to the scope of services or the levels of care provided at the facility are currently anticipated to occur within 24 months of the proposed transaction.' 'What circumstances have shifted since the acquisition to justify a different course of action?' the senators ask in their letter. At the time of the acquisition, Prime pledged to invest $250 million in the Illinois facilities for upgrades, capital improvements, technology and system upgrades. Prime's leaders have emphasized the health system's commitment to saving distressed community hospitals.
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Sens. Durbin and Duckworth question Prime Healthcare after changes to Illinois hospitals
Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are questioning a California-based health system that recently bought eight Illinois hospitals, after cuts to services at several of those locations. The senators sent a letter to Prime Healthcare founder, chairman and CEO Dr. Prem Reddy on Tuesday expressing concern about the changes and asking him to answer questions about the health system's plans. 'Prime Healthcare has only operated these eight Illinois hospitals for two months, and there are already profound concerns about patients losing access to care,' the Senate Democrats wrote in their letter. They also urged Prime 'to immediately reconsider these decisions, as the consequences of these reductions hold the potential to strip patients of critical and specialized care, impose additional barriers to accessing care, and exacerbate the existing health care needs in the communities these hospitals serve.' A spokesperson for Prime did not immediately provide comment Tuesday afternoon. Prime, which is a for-profit company, bought the eight Illinois hospitals in March for more than $370 million from Ascension, a large Catholic health system. Most of the hospitals sold to Prime changed from being nonprofit hospitals to for-profit hospitals as part of the sale. The hospitals that were sold include Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, Resurrection Medical Center in Chicago, St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee and St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Less than two months after the sale, Prime announced that it planned to suspend inpatient pediatric care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet — a move affecting two doctors and eight staff members. Prime said in a statement at the time that the unit had been averaging less than one patient a day, while the need for other services such as advanced surgical, neurosurgical and spinal care had grown. The decision drew criticism from the Illinois Nurses Association, which said, in part, the suspension would hurt the community, which only has one hospital. In recent years, many community hospitals in Illinois have closed their inpatient pediatric units, citing decreased demand. Also, in April, Mercy Medical Center in Aurora lost its designation as a Level II trauma center. The Illinois Department of Public Health alleged in a letter to the hospital that at several points over the last few months (both before and after Prime's purchase) Mercy did not have the staff to cover essential services required of a Level II trauma center. At the time, a spokesperson for the hospital told the Tribune that the hospital had already started the process of voluntarily withdrawing its designation before the letter was received, because of a decline in Level II trauma patients. In their letter, Durbin and Duckworth also criticize 'the recent termination of comprehensive obstetric and maternal care services at St. Mary's in Kankakee.' '… As the grip of for-profit hospital systems tightens across our nation's health care networks, profitability has risen as a primary indicator of success for hospital owners,' the senators wrote in their letter. 'When operations are centered around a hospital's ability to generate as much profit as possible, it often comes at the expense of patients, staff, and the quality and safety of care.' The senators are asking Reddy to answer a number of questions by June 10, including how Prime plans to compensate for the loss of certain services in communities served by those hospitals, how much money Prime anticipates saving as a result of the changes, and whether Prime has plans to shut down other facilities or reduce other services in the future. The senators are also questioning Reddy about a statement made in an application to the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board at the time the ownership change was proposed, saying, '… at this time, no changes to the scope of services or the levels of care provided at the facility are currently anticipated to occur within 24 months of the proposed transaction.' 'What circumstances have shifted since the acquisition to justify a different course of action?' the senators ask in their letter. At the time of the acquisition, Prime pledged to invest $250 million in the Illinois facilities for upgrades, capital improvements, technology and system upgrades. Prime's leaders have emphasized the health system's commitment to saving distressed community hospitals.
