Heartbreak in Chester & Ridley

Residents of Houston and surrounding areas are protesting the planned closure of two hospitals, Houston Community Hospital and Houston Community Hospital Southwest, previously part of the system owned by American Academic Health System. The closures, scheduled for May 7th, are the result of a bankruptcy declared by AAHS, leaving approximately 1,000 medical professionals unemployed and depriving the community of vital healthcare services. United Healthcare, which owns the properties, claims the hospitals are financially unsustainable. However, community members and healthcare workers suspect a deliberate dismantling of essential infrastructure for profit. They accuse the company of prioritizing profit over community well-being, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who rely on these hospitals for care. Local officials and residents highlight the urgent need for these facilities, pointing to the strain their closure will place on other hospitals and emergency services, especially considering the growing population and existing healthcare disparities in the region. Concerns are amplified by the lack of a clear plan to address the healthcare void left by the hospital closures. Protesters are demanding intervention to keep the hospitals open and maintain access to essential medical services for the Houston community. They are calling for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy and questioning whether United Healthcare could have kept the hospitals afloat. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/05/ucyp-m05.html