Incoming Lake County Board Member Vance D. Wyatt Calls for Action as Vista Medical Center East Faces Ambulance Restrictions

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Incoming Lake County Board member Vance D. Wyatt is calling for immediate collaboration among local and state officials following the state’s decision to suspend ambulance transports to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan.

In a public statement, Wyatt emphasized the importance of maintaining accessible emergency medical services in northeastern Lake County, describing the hospital’s ongoing challenges as a serious concern for residents.

“Having a hospital in the northeastern part of Lake County is essential to ensuring our residents have access to lifesaving medical care when every second counts,” Wyatt stated.

Wyatt also shared his family’s personal history with the hospital, explaining that his grandfather received treatment there following a heart attack and his grandmother was transported to the facility after suffering a stroke.

He argued that those experiences demonstrate why preserving nearby emergency medical services should remain a priority.

Wyatt Calls for Local Government Collaboration

With his term on the Lake County Board scheduled to begin next month, Wyatt pledged to work with state lawmakers, fellow board members and municipal officials to explore potential solutions.

He also acknowledged the political challenges surrounding federal healthcare policy, referencing the difficulty of repealing the federal legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

Wyatt maintained that local leaders cannot afford to wait for federal action while healthcare access remains uncertain.

“This is not a Democratic or Republican issue. This is a matter of public health, public safety, and ensuring that every resident has access to lifesaving care when they need it most,” he stated.

Hospital Ownership Faces Criticism

Wyatt directed particularly strong criticism toward American Healthcare Systems (AHS), the company that owns Vista Medical Center East.

“AHS has failed our community! Enough is enough. It’s time to get to work!” Wyatt declared.

His remarks follow the November 7 directive restricting ambulance transports to Vista Medical Center East until further notice.

Although the hospital continues accepting patients who arrive independently, the ambulance restrictions have intensified concerns about access to emergency medical treatment in northeastern Lake County.

What Happens Next?

Wyatt has expressed his intention to pursue solutions after taking office, although his statement did not identify a specific funding proposal, legislative measure or operational plan for restoring the hospital’s services.

The future of Vista Medical Center East remains uncertain as local leaders consider how to preserve essential healthcare access for residents of Waukegan and surrounding communities.

Pulse Radio 96.1 will continue following developments surrounding Vista Medical Center East and the response from local and state officials.