Union urges fight to save St. John Riverview

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070511/BIZ/705110359/1001


Union urges fight to save St. John Riverview

AFSCME asks city, state to halt closure; hospital points to a glut of beds.

Sofia Kosmetatos / The Detroit News


DETROIT -- A union representing workers at St. John Detroit Riverview Hospital joined clergy and medical leaders in calling on the city and state Thursday to halt the closure of the hospital on the city's east side, saying it will hinder access to medical care for thousands of residents and put hundreds of people out of work.

St. John Health System wants to sell the unprofitable hospital to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and close the facility by the end of June. Karmanos plans to move from Midtown and expand its clinical services to the campus.

Al Garrett, president of AFSCME Council 25, asked the Detroit City Council to urge Attorney General Mike Cox to investigate whether the closing violates St. John Health's nonprofit status.

Riverview's loss would be "frightening" and devastate the city's health care services, said Garrett. "Clearly the hospital is needed."

St. John Health President and CEO Elliot Joseph said he understands why the community is up in arms -- hospital closures are daunting to neighborhoods.

But, he said, "The outcry doesn't stand up to the facts of the situation."

FULL story at link.