CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The head of the Sinai Chicago Hospital system says she she's proud of the work they are doing in low-income neighborhoods, but her hospitals and others are facing intense financial pressures.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, CEO of Sinai Chicago, said safety net hospitals like the ones she runs, are operating on a shoestring budget, because at least 70% of their patients are on Medicaid.
The former State Health Director told a City Club of Chicago luncheon they continue to take patients regardless of ability to pay.
"I'm really thinking about how we are really supposed to, you know, keep the lights on and keep people paid and make the necessary upgrades on Medicaid reimbursement as opposed to, you know, private insurance," Ezike said. "Like that's math that doesn't really work and so it is important for everyone to understand that that's what we're doing."
She also said they need more federal reimbursement for the care and expanded partnerships with private entities and other hospitals.
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