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One Year After Closure, Demonstrators Seek Return Of Full Service Hospital To Northern Berkshires

Lucas Willard
/
WAMC

Demonstrations are planned in Berkshire County today to mark the one-year anniversary of the closing of North Adams Regional Hospital.

The North County Cares Coalition is seeking the return of a full-service hospital to the Northern Berkshires.

Protesters plan to gather outside North Adams City Hall at noon and Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield at 2 p.m.

Since the closing of the North Adams Regional Hospital last year, Berkshire Health Systems purchased the campus and now operates a satellite emergency facility, but does not offer inpatient services.

A state-commissioned report found an inpatient facility was feasible in northern Berkshire County only if it receives federal critical access designation which allows for increased reimbursement rates. NARH unsuccessfully applied for the designation in 2011.

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.
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