Care for All

Today, our community has achieved a monumental victory. The decision by Santa Clara County to take over Regional Medical Center and keep its doors open is a step in the right direction to reclaim healthcare, not just for the Eastside — but for every resident across Santa Clara County.

This is what happens when our local government truly listens to its people and prioritizes care, inclusion, and the well-being of all.

The decision to acquire RMC and restore the trauma center, stroke services and the maternity ward that was shuttered in 2020 delivers a blow to private corporations that have hijacked our health systems across the country for their own profits —  especially targeting communities of color and working-class neighborhoods like ours.  But today, we’ve shown them that we are not to be underestimated. When we come together, we can protect our lives, our health, and our future. 

But there is still work to be done — we need to keep organizing to ensure that the Board of Supervisors and HCA Healthcare reach an agreement swiftly, and in alignment with what patients, doctors and medical workers need.

Maria Noel of Fernandez, Executive Director of Working Partnerships said, “We are grateful to the County for stepping up when others failed to and our work is not done until HCA works with the County, alongside the community and labor partners to restore services and rebuild community trust on the Eastside.”

“I am proud to live in a community where we stand united for health justice and equity, fighting for everyone’s right to a healthy future. Thanks to our County’s bold leadership, we are reclaiming our healthcare and safeguarding our community. But our work is not over. HCA caused harm and we must continue to hold HCA accountable for the damage they’ve caused and demand for repair and a significant commitment to justice and equity for the residents of East San Jose,” says Darcie Green, Executive Director of Latinas Contra Cancer. 

Coalition of patients, workers and leaders demand investigation into discriminatory closures at Regional Medical Center

A coalition of community leaders, healthcare workers, and local organizations including Working Partnerships USA, Latinas Contra Cancer, South Bay Labor Council and elected representatives rallied at Regional Medical Center (RMC) in San José on May 24th to protest proposed service closures and demand an investigation by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The closures, slated for August 12th, would eliminate RMC’s trauma, STEMI (heart attack), and comprehensive stroke services, leaving a significant gap in care for vulnerable populations. This follows the closure of RMC’s maternity services in 2020, raising concerns about HCA’s profit-driven model and its impact on equitable healthcare access. The coalition sent a letter to Attorney General Bonta, citing his authority to prevent discriminatory cuts and urging him to investigate HCA’s actions, protecting healthcare access for thousands of Santa Clara County residents, and setting a precedent against for-profit healthcare practices that prioritize profits over patients. Patients and community members voiced their concerns and outrage at the proposed closures. Join us in taking action.

Maria Noel Fernandez of Working Partnerships USA condemned HCA’s pattern of cutting care and prioritizing profits, stating, “HCA’s track record reveals a pattern of cutting critical care, under staffing, and price gouging—a consequence of unchecked for-profit healthcare.”

Local officials also expressed grave concerns about the closures’ disproportionate impact on East San José residents, many of whom have chronic health conditions and rely on RMC for care. Council Member Peter Ortiz fears increased travel times and delays in care will worsen outcomes for patients, stating, “I have deep concerns about how this reduction will impact the residents of East San José…It’s clear to me that higher volumes expected at neighboring hospitals, coupled with longer travel times will certainly delay care and worsen outcomes for major trauma patients.”

The potential loss of these vital services also poses a risk to first responders and the community, emphasized retired San Jose Fire Captain Dick Santos, stating, “Life safety is a priority for trauma services. Closing the services at Regional Medical Center would hurt our first responders who go out of their way to save us everyday.”

Dr. Raj Gupta, Director of Stroke and Neuroscience, appealed to RMC to uphold principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, saying, “Do no harm to the people of East San Jose, an underserved ethnically diverse population by closing life-saving emergency services of the Trauma, Comprehensive Stroke and STEMI programs.” Dr. Gupta, along with other hospital staff are inviting community members to sign a petition to call for a stop to these life threatening closures. Watch Dr. Gupta’s video explainer to learn more about the closures, and sign the petition below.

If we join forces, we can stop these closures and protect critical healthcare services for our loved ones and neighbors. We’re grateful to have the support of community and labor partners to take on this fight:

Latinas Contra Cancer Defensoras Patient Organizing Committees
Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
CA Nurses Association
Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA)
SEIU-UHW
Valley Physicians Group
Si Se Puede Collective
Amigos de Guadalupe
Somos Mayfair
REAL Coalition
Silicon Valley Council of Non-Profits
Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet
Bay Area Community Health
AACI
Community Health Partnerships
LUNA(Latinos United for a New America)

South Bay Labor Council (SBLC)

These closures will impact every single Santa Clara County resident — we call on all community members to join us in demanding equitable access to healthcare for all. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our community’s health needs are not sacrificed for corporate profits.

Throughout this month, we’re actively standing up to ensure that HCA understands our health is not a commodity up for sale. Will you stand with us? Check out the actions and calendar below and sign up here to stay updated with crucial information and progress.

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