Representatives from the Rescue Our Medical Care Coalition, joined by District 9 Council Member Pam Foley, met today with Good Samaritan Hospital’s CEO to address concerns over HCA Healthcare’s proposed facility expansion amid ongoing service reductions across San José. The Coalition presented clear demands to hospital leadership, focusing on two critical priorities: the restoration of acute psychiatric beds and the establishment of a patient protection fund to safeguard healthcare access for all San José residents.
HCA Healthcare made no commitments to restore mental health services or invest in a patient protection or community benefits package. “It’s evident that HCA’s actions will worsen the city’s mental health crisis. The real question is, will the City Council let that happen?” said Darcie Green who attended the meeting with other coalition partners. “San Jose and Mayor Matt Mahan will never be able to end encampments without offering these critical services, and it’s up to the City Council to step in and stop this.”
Good Samaritan Hospital, owned by HCA Healthcare, has faced mounting criticism for decisions that have reduced critical mental healthcare access in the County, which is currently experiencing a mental health and substance abuse crisis. The meeting follows the San José Planning Commission’s recent 7-1 vote recommending the rejection of HCA Healthcare’s land use plans, highlighting the urgent need for binding commitments to protect community healthcare services. The meeting’s timing is particularly crucial, coming just days before the San José City Council is set to vote on HCA Healthcare’s expansion plans on November 19, 2024.
The Planning Commission’s strong stance, combined with the upcoming City Council vote, has created heightened pressure for HCA to address community concerns about mental health service restoration and healthcare accessibility.
Before the meeting, patients, mental health advocates, and community members from the Rescue Our Medical Care Coalition rallied in front of San José City Hall. The Coalition supports critical upgrades that would keep staff and patients safe without disrupting services. However, HCA is delaying these improvements by avoiding accountability and pushing forward with a plan that disrupts healthcare access for San José residents and undermines the city’s General Plan. Despite being behind schedule, HCA is prioritizing a $1.2 billion expansion of Good Samaritan Hospital while abandoning critical mental health services that once served thousands of local residents.
“Let’s set the record straight: It’s not this Coalition or community advocates slowing down the process for Good Samaritan’s zoning. The real delay comes from Good Samaritan’s own incompetence and refusal to engage in this process in good faith. That is why we are here today—to demand a Patient Protection Fund and the restoration of mental health services at Good Samaritan Hospital,” said João Paolo, Organizing Director of Working Partnerships USA.
“HCA Healthcare, the parent company of Good Samaritan, has consistently put our community’s care in jeopardy, cutting essential services at the expense of the entire community. The City Planning Commission made it clear when they rejected HCA’s proposal…Now, the City Council has the opportunity to ensure that HCA finally does right by our communities and starts to rebuild the trust they once had,” said Council Member Peter Ortiz who urged his fellow council members to defer consideration of this project.
“HCA Healthcare removed a large number of beds from availability when we were already facing a shortage. I’m asking the San Jose City Council not to hand HCA an open check to keep bleeding our services and stripping off the profit. The issue isn’t with Good Samaritan Hospital expanding; it’s that they’ve upset the balance and aren’t giving back to the community they serve,” said Karen Deloumi, Board Member, NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness).
“Every time HCA shutters essential services, it’s the local government and the community that step in to pick up the pieces and save lives—at the expense of taxpayers. That’s why we need a Patient Protection Fund controlled by the community, to ensure HCA is held accountable and to safeguard against future harm,” said Darcie Green, Executive Director of Latinas Contra Cancer.
