In April, Indiana-based Beacon Health System announced that it would purchase four Southwest Michigan hospitals from Ascension Borgess.
The Ascension Borgess-Pipp Hospital was one facility included in the deal.
When asked about the sale last week, several Plainwell residents said it was news to them, as they usually sought care at other facilities.
“They're not such a hospital anymore. They're like a quick-fix, send them to the bigger hospitals,” Plainwell City Council member and business owner Cathy Green said.
Green added that residents received little warning before the sale.
“I don't think anybody had a lot of time to put some input into it, but I would hope they keep the minimum amount of care that they are there now.”
Resident Mark Meszaros also had some items on his wish list.
“It's nice to kind of get to know and get comfortable with your everyday provider doctor. Find somebody you like and then be able to kind of, have them there,” Meszaros said.
He added that reducing the workload on staff and adding more services would go a long way toward improving the facility.
This idea was echoed by Rachel Hopkins, owner of an art education studio in downtown Plainwell.
“If they want to increase the use of their facility and increase community participation in their facility, they should definitely think about the staffing associated with seeing patients on a timely manner.”
An Ascension spokesperson did not comment when asked about this criticism, stating instead that Ascension is committed to quality care.
Care in Cass County
Sentiments were similar in Dowagiac, where many seek care at facilities in Paw Paw, Niles or St. Joseph instead of the Ascension Borgess-Lee hospital.
But Dowagiac business owner Vickie Phillipson said despite this, the hospital is still vital.
“The emergency room may not be equipped right now to handle all trauma, but it does do a good job of stabilizing a person who can then be sent on to a larger hospital. And I think in a lot of cases that can be a life or death situation.”
But the lack of services can make things especially difficult for elderly residents, according to Vickie Williamson with the local Council on Aging.
“It's hard for them to get rides. We do provide rides and it's easier to get them here in town, that's couple blocks over, then to go to South Bend or Kalamazoo.”
Williamson added that she hopes Beacon adds services, improving access to care.
“I'm just hoping that they can come in and offer our seniors, even the young generation, better health care, better treatment. That's it.”
Michael Symonds reports for WMUK through the Report for America national service program.
