Georgia Democratic lawmakers, physicians urge Wellstar not to close Atlanta Medical Center  

Atlanta Medical Center providers joined public officials and Stacey Abrams outside the hospital Friday. Wellstar announced plans to shutter the facility later this year. WABE/Jess Mador
Atlanta Medical Center providers joined public officials and Stacey Abrams outside the hospital Friday. Wellstar announced plans to shutter the facility later this year. WABE/Jess Mador

A growing coalition of local, state and federal Democratic officials in Georgia is demanding answers from Wellstar Health System about its plans to close Atlanta Medical Center.

Wellstar announced earlier this week the century-old Old Fourth Ward hospital will shut down November 1, 2022 and gradually wind down operations leading up to that date.  

Like nearby Grady Memorial Hospital, the nearly 500-bed Atlanta Medical Center is a so-called safety net hospital, serving a high population of low-income patients, who may be uninsured or underinsured, regardless of their ability to pay.