Weiss Hospital Owner Defends Actions Amid Closure, Criticism Of His Tenure Weve Had To Fight And Figure It Out

Weiss Memorial Hospital's owner, Dr. Manoj Prasad, calls for federal help to reopen the facility after it closed due to the loss of Medicare and Medicaid contracts. Critics, including local officials, attribute the closure to his cost-cutting management practices. Prasad announced plans to appeal the federal decision and reapply for Medicare and Medicaid licensing, which could take up to a year. Compliance issues identified by investigators included nursing shortages and inadequate emergency services, contributing to the hospital's downfall.

Furthermore, the hospital faced operational challenges after a recent air conditioning failure forced it to turn away new patients. Prasad highlighted the pressing need for funding to comply with state recommendations, stating that the hospital has struggled financially since its acquisition. The hospitals received safety-net status in 2023, allowing access to federal funding, but were deemed low priority for state allocations. Without immediate financial support, Prasad warns that West Suburban Medical Center could share Weiss’ fate.