Providence workers in Sonoma County launched a community petition today calling on the Washington State-based healthcare corporation to stop slashing services in the North Bay.
Since taking over St. Joseph Health 10 years ago, Providence has made deep cuts and drastic reductions in services. Providence has laid off healthcare workers and eliminated outpatient labs in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, the Family Birthing Center at Petaluma Valley Hospital, and an urgent care center in Rohnert Park.
Providence’s latest plan is to close St. Joseph Urgent Care Center, the only urgent care center in Santa Rosa open to the general public. If Providence has its way, patients in need of immediate medical attention will have to pay extra to use the emergency room at Providence’s Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, which is often overcrowded, or drive to Windsor to receive care.
With more than $8 billion in cash reserves, Providence has the resources and influence to expand access to health care services in our community. But Providence seems determined to eliminate services and cut jobs in its blind pursuit of higher profits.
Sign the petition to tell Providence to stop razing health care in the North Bay:
