“You won’t shut us down!” say Providence Hospital supporters

“I urge you to act now to keep Providence Hospital open,” RN Elissa Curry told the DC City Council Wednesday morning. “The health of our community should not be endangered because accountants see more lucrative ways to operate.” Patients, nurses, caregivers and doctors packed the council meeting to testify about the need to save Providence Hospital in northeast DC. “You won’t shut us down!” they vowed. In his opening statement at the hearing, Ward 5 councilmember Kenyan McDuffie said that "It appears that Ascension has decided to prioritize its property over the provision of health to the residents of the District of Columbia." McDuffie announced that he and Ward 7 councilmember Vincent Gray are considering legislation to require hospitals to provide advance public notice if they want to close down. 

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