Richmond medical center closes three clinics, until further notice
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Capital Area Health Network is shutting down three of its Richmond medical centers citing unforeseen circumstances.
Capital Area Health Network (CAHN), a non-profit organization that provides medical assistance to individuals with Medicare, Medicaid and those without insurance, announced the closure on Monday, Feb. 3.
Screenshot of message shared with 8News by CAHN patient.
“Due to unforeseen federal restrictions under the new Presidential administration, we were forced to consolidate our operations last week [which] impacts patient services at Bermuda Medical Center, Southside Medical Center, and Greater Fulton Medical Center," the notice reads in part. "Your provider at those locations has been moved to Vernon J. Harris Medical and Dental Center, Northside Medical Center, and Pediatric Medical Center.”
Neighborhood Resource Center, a non-profit that provides education, nutrition and financial coaching for the Greater Fulton community, worked closely with the medical center. Executive Director Breanne Armbrust said the impact will be a devastating blow for hundreds of people.
“We are the only part of the entire city that doesn't have a bank, a grocery store, an ATM, public school, public library and now medical care,” Armbrust said. “This is really -- this is decades of divestment and disinvestment from the community. This is yet another blow to a community that has already been reeling.”
Armbrust said she worries about patients who are disabled or have no means of transportation and the time it would take if they need medical care.
"From Fulton, it can take five hours to get even into The Fan,” Armbrust said. “If you take the bus system because of transfers and other things that are required, and when you're talking about a person that might have chronic health issues or disabilities, being able to overcome that as a barrier to health care is pretty challenging."
8News reached out to CAHN and the mayor's office several times for comment but has not heard back.
The Virginia Department of Health said they do not oversee these three clinics but are monitoring the situation.
