Community-Labor Coalition Meets

Honors those who are fighting for justice at Resurrection: Dozens of community members, activists, and employees of West Suburban Hospital got together last night to recognize the efforts of those involved in holding the hospital accountable to the community.

The Community/Labor dinner, hosted by the Oak Park-Austin Health Alliance (OPAHA) at the Austin Boulevard Christian Church in Oak Park, recognized politicians, comes on the heals of efforts by community members and West Suburban employees to make sure that any expansion of the hospital’s emergency facilities be accompanied by a commitment to simple principles of community cooperation.

After honoring State Representative Deborah Graham, Reverend Gregory Livingston, Austin resident Monique Moore, the Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice and several others, the group signed on to a letter to West Suburban CEO Jay Kreuzer urging him to commit the hospital to the following principles:

• Principle 1: Ensure Access to Health Care for Residents in Need by making sure that all those who are eligible for free or discounted care are aware of their options and receive the care they need.
• Principle 2: Recognize Employees’ Right to Organize without fear of retaliation.
• Principle 3: Provide Quality Community Health Programs, such as mental health programs and an obesity clinic.
• Principle 4: Create a Community Outreach/Input Program to inform and get input on major community/patient issues.