Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative Pursues Hospital Purchase

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative entered into an agreement with HSHS for the potential purchase of the St. Joseph’s Hospital property.

According to a press release on Thursday, the organization executed a purchase agreement with HSHS a few months after signing a letter of intent to do so. The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative was formed following the closure of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls and HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Under the agreement, the organization has 90 days to conclude their due diligence on the site. They’re hoping to determine if reopening the hospital is financially feasible. If they decide it is, the facility could begin accepting patients again by the end of the year.

Chippewa Falls residents have lived without a hospital since the closures last year, putting additional strain on other healthcare organizations in nearby municipalities. Plans for two other hospitals are still developing, but reopening St. Joseph’s Hospital would provide residents with that critical healthcare access the soonest.

The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative also recently announced the selection of the architects who will build their planned independent community hospital in Lake Hallie. They expect that facility to open in late 2027. Officials also expect the new hospital’s operations will cover the cost of reopening St. Joseph’s Hospital in the short term.

Aspirus Health recently cleared the final hurdles for their planned hospital in Chippewa Falls as well. Officials expect the facility on Chippewa Crossing Boulevard to open in as little as 18 months following the start of construction this spring.