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Blue Springs, MO —
Blue Springs leaders are still looking for answers following Ascension Health’s confirmation this week that it’s looking to sell St. Mary’s Medical Center to HCA Midwest Health System.
“I want to sit down and talk with them and see what their plans are,” Mayor Carson Ross said Wednesday, pointing out that HCA already owns nearby Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence.
Ascension says it’s talking with HCA about selling St. Mary’s as well as St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City along with other Carondelet Health subsidiaries. However, Carondelet would keep St. Mary’s Manor and two other long-term care facilities.
Carondelet on Wednesday referred questions to Ascension, and Ascension would not answer questions, even on the expected timeline for sale discussions.
Blue Springs residents and businesses have rallied through a social media campaign – “Faces for St. Mary’s” – to let Ascension and whomever might buy St. Mary’s know what the 146-bed hospital means to the community. City Council Member Dale Carter picked up on some of the concerns expressed in that campaign Wednesday, saying he hopes HCA would at least keep the emergency room and birthing center open.
Ross also touched on St. Mary’s historic concern for the most needy, based on its religious affiliation.
“I would love to see that hospital be mission-driven rather than profit-driven,” he said.
Ascension in its statement said HCA “has expressed a commitment to working with the local Diocese to preserve the hospitals’ Catholic heritage.”
The hospital employs more than 650 people, the second-largest employer in the city, with a $30 million annual payroll.
HCA has hospitals across the country, including Centerpoint, Lee’s Summit Medical Center and six others in the metro area.
Blue Springs leaders are still looking for answers following Ascension Health’s confirmation this week that it’s looking to sell St. Mary’s Medical Center to HCA Midwest Health System.
“I want to sit down and talk with them and see what their plans are,” Mayor Carson Ross said Wednesday, pointing out that HCA already owns nearby Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence.
Ascension says it’s talking with HCA about selling St. Mary’s as well as St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City along with other Carondelet Health subsidiaries. However, Carondelet would keep St. Mary’s Manor and two other long-term care facilities.
Carondelet on Wednesday referred questions to Ascension, and Ascension would not answer questions, even on the expected timeline for sale discussions.
Blue Springs residents and businesses have rallied through a social media campaign – “Faces for St. Mary’s” – to let Ascension and whomever might buy St. Mary’s know what the 146-bed hospital means to the community. City Council Member Dale Carter picked up on some of the concerns expressed in that campaign Wednesday, saying he hopes HCA would at least keep the emergency room and birthing center open.
Ross also touched on St. Mary’s historic concern for the most needy, based on its religious affiliation.
“I would love to see that hospital be mission-driven rather than profit-driven,” he said.
Ascension in its statement said HCA “has expressed a commitment to working with the local Diocese to preserve the hospitals’ Catholic heritage.”
The hospital employs more than 650 people, the second-largest employer in the city, with a $30 million annual payroll.
HCA has hospitals across the country, including Centerpoint, Lee’s Summit Medical Center and six others in the metro area.
