Chippewa Falls Could Get New Hospital with Aspirus Health

Chippewa Falls has been without a hospital since the abrupt closure of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital this year, but that could soon change.

According to a press release, Aspirus Health is working with City of Chippewa Falls officials on the early stages of construction plans for a new hospital. The City has been without a hospital since the departure of HSHS from the region earlier this year, putting increased stress on other healthcare providers.

The organization is currently evaluating potential sites for the new hospital, but say a main characteristic for the eventual location will be convenient access to Highway 29. They are also looking for a location that could support a future expansion of the facility.

The facility would include emergency and inpatient beds, primary care, and lab and imaging services. Officials say that they’ve already completed the preliminary plans for the facility and it could open in as little as 18 months. The organization is currently working to obtain the necessary approvals and plans to officially purchase a property in the next few months.

HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls and HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire officially closed in March. Since then, other healthcare organizations have increased their services or opened new facilities to fill the gap in healthcare access for area patients, but emergency rooms have still struggled with the increased demand.

Following the closure of the hospitals, the Wisconsin State Legislature approved $15 million in funding to support emergency rooms in the area. The release of that funding was held up in the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee after Governor Tony Evers used line item vetoes to make the funding more flexible.