San Jose residents have scored a win in their fight against a $1.2 billion proposal to expand Good Samaritan Hospital after securing a meeting with the hospital CEO over possible community benefits. Members of the Rescue Our Medical Care campaign rallied in front of City Hall on Wednesday to call on HCA Healthcare , the parent company of Good Samaritan Hospital, to restore inpatient psychiatric care and help local governments pay for health care services the hospital previously cut that will now fall on the shoulders of taxpayers.
Health care advocates told San José Spotlight they want to see these community benefits included within the proposed expansion of the hospital. Hospital representatives say the expansion is necessary to align with California earthquake mandates by 2030. Working Partnerships USA Organizing Director João Paulo Connolly said the group received an invitation to meet with Good Samaritan officials, including CEO Patrick Rohan, as well as District 9 Councilmember Pam Foley to discuss concerns over health care equity.
The hospital is in Foley’s district. “We are looking forward to that conversation and hope it can be a genuine, good faith conversation about rescuing and restoring desperately needed mental health services in this community — but that’s really all we know so far,” Connolly told San José Spotlight. Foley declined a request for comment.
The San Jose City Council will vote Nov. 19 whether to allow the hospital’s 21-acre expansi.