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.”
“Regional medical center is my closest hospital and as a patient, I am shocked that HCA would be allowed to just close these life-saving centers and take them away from our community when there is so much need. Our patient community joins the call for state action against HCA and a denial of the RMC closures,” said Mo Duran, a patient from Defensoras Patient Organizing Committee, and a East San José resident.
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.
Take Action
Join the Rescue our Medical Care Campaign to organize with patients, doctors to preserve this critical healthcare lifeline.
Support the California Nurses Association(CNA)’s call to Keep Regional Medical Center Trauma, Stroke and STEMI services open!
Join us at the ‘Lives Lost Rally’ to honor the life-saving care provided by these services and to demand action to stop the closures.
