At the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the owners of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center tried to close the safety-net facility and declare bankruptcy. Despite receiving millions in taxpayer dollars, Trinity Health sought to shutter the only hospital serving Black and Brown low-income and working families in Bronzeville — during a global health crisis.
KOCO did not let that happen. We formed and helped facilitate the Chicago Health Equity Coalition (CHEC), an alliance of community, labor, faith based organizations and medical professionals. With the power of CHEC, Bronzeville emerged victorious!
CHEC pressured city and state officials to keep the hospital open until a new buyer could be found. Through private talks and public demonstrations, we prevailed! Like every Chicago neighborhood, our community deserves quality health care. We shouldn’t have to fight for this basic principle, but together, our vigilance and persistence mean we will not be denied!
Today, Insight Hospital and Medical Center Chicago boasts over 400 hospital beds, nearly 300 surgical beds, 30 intensive care beds, and 10 operating rooms.
KOCO stands shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors to tell the world, “Nothing about us will be decided without us.”
