Leaders of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park working to resume operations

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- A suburban hospital now says it will not close.

West Suburban Medical Center is trying to get its financial footing, after what they call a billing problem.

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The owner of West Suburban said he's doing everything in his power to resume operations at the hospital.

He said he's working to fix a billing system problem and hopes to get the hospital back up and running as soon as possible.

"At any given time, we have 67 percent of my patients are Medicaid. I am not getting paid for most of them," Resilience Health CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad said.

RELATED: Oak Park West Suburban hospital closes doors after Resilience Health suspension announcement

The medical center officially closed Friday after its owner, Resilience Health, which also owns Weiss Memorial in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, said operations were being suspended until a billing system problem could be fixed.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, whose district is home to the hospital, said he wants to ensure the hospital can resume its vital services to the community.

"I am in constant communication with the president and CEO and the state of Illinois about the condition of the hospital," Ford said. "I have been working to try and make to sure that the community did not lose the coverage of this hospital because it is a total reverse of what we have been trying to do.

"I am not someone who is trying to kick the can down the road. I am here to serve, and I am here to stay," Dr. Prasad said.

The furloughs at West Suburban come seven months after operations at sister hospital Weiss Memorial stopped in-patient and emergency care after it was kicked off of the Medicare program over conditions inside the hospital.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Service Review Board reports the suspension in services requires the owner to file a report every 30 days. And if the suspension is not lifted after a year, the owner needs to file for an extension or discontinue operations permanently.

Meanwhile, a group of local pastors say it supports the plan to reopen the Oak Park medical center.

The pastors said it's a safety net hospital serving low-income patients and is essential to the community. They plan on holding a community meeting for people in the community next week.

Over 500 staff remain furloughed.

"Beyond frustrated, it's just, it's not ethically or morally right," said Linda Hennis the wife of a patient.

Alan Hennis has Stage 4 lung and bone cancer. His wife, who is a retired oncology nurse, said they need his imaging from West Suburban to see if the targeted therapy is working or if the cancer has spread.

But Linda Hennis says she's been unable to get the images or even a call back.

"His cancer is there. It's always there, and I don't want any barriers to care, none. And this is a barrier," Linda Hennis said.

Prasad said he hopes to reopen in July. He said staff is working to get records for patients and find ways to recoup losses from a faulty billing.

"It caused a lot of problems, absolutely," Prasad said.

Ford acknowledged skepticism about the ability of the hospital to open and discussions with legislators and a private company to reopen the hospital.

"There has to be some type of infusion of money to reopen this hospital. And if we don't get some infusion, I don't know how you're going to open," Ford said.

Dr. Chidinma Osineme had worked at West Suburban and says she was not allowed in the press conference.

"I am worried about the patients of Austin. Yes, I am, and whomever comes to our emergency doors for access," Osineme said.

Patients like Hennis hope this time waiting won't put his health at greater risk.

Prasad says over 100 employees overseas are working to recoup billing losses, and there is staff locally working in the records department. He says patients should be able to get records in seven to 10 days from leaving a message.

For records, patients should call (708) 763-2619 or email medrecords@westsubmc.com.