The four resident Upper Peninsula legislators on Monday expressed their frustration and anger with Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health after the company’s announcement that it is ending OB/GYN services at its Ironwood facility.
“It’s totally outrageous that they spring this on the community and on a Friday just to take the heat off of them for a weekend,” said Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township. “No one called or gave notice to any of us about this before it happened. This is now the second time they have sprung such a huge surprise on the U.P., along with other recent changes and failing to use the money from the state, undermining any credibility to their claims of caring about the future of our communities. The U.P. — bigger than at least six states — is left with six places to have a baby other than your home or car.”
The latest announcement follows Aspirus’ closure of its Ontonagon facility in 2023, the ending of OB/GYN services at one of its Keweenaw facilities and laying off almost all the certified nursing assistants at its Iron River clinic.
“Last time, Aspirus lied to my face about Ontonagon being closed a few days later,” said Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. “This time, it was crickets from them about even needing help — something so many other, responsible businesses, schools and hospitals do. This closure is a betrayal of the people in my district by a company that has promised to provide services to them and received state dollars to do so.”
When Aspirus closed Ontonagon’s hospital in 2023, McBroom and Markkanen — with help from the rest of the U.P. team — were able to get over $1 million to help the Ironwood facility’s OB/GYN services. The company has apparently never used the money. The closure left residents of Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron counties with huge distances and state lines to cover for OB/GYN services — up to well over two hours in good weather for some.
“This is a very bitter pill to swallow,” said Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. “The west end of the U.P. continues to suffer from the carelessness and neglect of the state, and now a hospital that makes promises to the community but fails to deliver. The providers and governor asked for Medicaid expansion but now blame the program for their inability to succeed and demand more funding from taxpayers.”
“The people of the U.P. are determined to stay and strengthen their communities,” said Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Marquette. “We are all committed to finding a solution to this latest blow by helping the communities of the west end grow and prosper again so that such closures and betrayals are a thing of the past.”
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