Wisconsin Department of Health Services Will Not Investigate Closure of Western Wisconsin Hospitals

Friday, May 17th, 2024 -- 8:00 AM

(Heather Knox, WEAU) The Wisconsin Department of Health Services responded on Thursday to City Attorney Stephen Nick’s request for an investigation into HSHS following the closures of area hospitals.

According to Heather Knox with WEAU, in a letter sent to the DHS on April 9, Nick asked DHS to thoroughly investigate whether HSHS and its leadership have met and can continue to meet obligations to maintain its license at its remaining facilities in Wisconsin.

In a response letter dated May 9, the DHS said that none of the allegations against HSHS and HSHS CEO Boatwright violate the Medicare Conditions of Participation, Wisconsin state law or administrative code.

DHS Statement reads: “Upon careful review of our authority, we are unable to open an investigation based on your request. None of those sources of authority currently contain any timing requirements for hospital closure notifications nor any conditions regarding a hospital’s financial fitness."

"They also do not allow us to open an investigation into the behavior or decision-making of a hospital’s CEO absent an allegation that the CEO’s actions constitute a violation of the Medicare Conditions of Participation.”

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