Mental health advocates and community members gathered outside San Jose City Hall on Wednesday, calling for the restoration of critical mental health services at Good Samaritan Hospital ahead of a key meeting with the hospital’s owner, HCA Healthcare. The meeting, which focused on a proposed $1.2 million expansion project for the hospital, highlighted the ongoing concerns about patient care and mental health support in the area.
The protesters, who were part of the Rescue Our Medical Care Coalition, demanded two specific actions from HCA Healthcare: the restoration of mental health services at the hospital and the creation of a patient protection fund. The rally took place just hours before a meeting between city leaders, coalition members, and hospital executives to address the ongoing issues.
Darcie Green, Executive Director of Latinas Contra Cancer, expressed strong concerns about the hospital’s track record under HCA’s ownership. “HCA has repeatedly harmed our community through the closure of departments and the stripping of services. They have shown total disregard for patients and residents of this city,” Green said.
The protest comes after several years of cutbacks at Good Samaritan, which have left many in the community feeling underserved. One of the key issues raised by the coalition is the reduction of acute care services, including the closure of 18 critical care beds in 2023. Mental health advocates argue that this has left many patients with nowhere to turn for acute psychiatric care, leading to dangerous consequences for individuals in crisis.
Joao Paulo Connolly, a member of the Rescue Our Medical Care Coalition, explained that the group’s primary goal was to ensure the restoration of vital services. “We want to know how they plan to restore services, bring back acute care beds, and address the harm caused by their history of divesting from our community,” Connolly said. He also stressed the importance of creating a patient protection fund to guarantee healthcare access for all residents.
The closure of these acute care beds has been particularly detrimental to those struggling with severe mental health challenges. Loren Gissible, Director of Specialty Behavioral Health at Gardner Health Services, warned that the lack of mental health resources could have deadly consequences. “When you close 18 beds, you’re taking away the only available care for people who are struggling with acute mental health issues, and these are the people at the greatest risk of suicide,” Gissible said.
In response to the growing concerns, San Jose City Councilmember Pam Foley facilitated a meeting between HCA Healthcare and the coalition members later in the day, hoping to bridge the gap between hospital management and the community’s health needs. Advocates hope the discussions will lead to a commitment from HCA to prioritize mental health services and improve healthcare access for vulnerable residents.
As the situation unfolds, community leaders and mental health advocates are calling on HCA to put patients’ needs before profit and ensure that essential healthcare services are available to those who need them most.
