CHICAGO, IL – January 22, 2019 – “While I do not stand in judgement of the federal government’s
decision, people are hurting and we have to do something,” President
and CEO George N. Miller, Jr., wrote about the longest government shutdown
in his weekly address to more than 600 Loretto employees.
Loretto Hospital employees were asked to turn in the names of their immediate
family members who work for federal government agencies and who have been
impacted by shutdown. Names submitted must be accompanied by a photo ID,
along with direct relationship to the employee, as well as proof they
have been furloughed as a result of the shutdown. Miller also encouraged
fellow team members to step up to add to the fund, which is officially
called, “The Loretto Hospital Relief Fund”, in response to
the 2019 shutdown.
“Our team members come to work every day with a smile to serve our
patients and this community. Now it’s time for us to serve them.
The Loretto Hospital is not only here to help our patients and the community,
but we are paying it forward by helping the family members of our employees
during this nationwide crisis,” Miller said.
Now in its 32nd day, the government shutdown is affecting about 800,000 federal workers
who are living without pay, as well as public services on which millions
of people rely, according to a New York Times report. Many of these agencies
have Chicagoland area locations or affiliations.
Government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Department
of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration workers (TSA),
Customs and Border Protection, Forest Service firefighters, National Weather
Service Forecasters, and Department of Commerce. The Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) is also affected.
The partial federal government shutdown began on midnight, Saturday, December
22, and is the third shutdown since the Trump administration. To support
“The Loretto Hospital Relief Fund” go to https://www.lorettohospitalfoundation.org/donate-now
and specify “The Loretto Hospital Relief Fund” in the note section.
“While we know the magnitude is great and cannot solve the federal
government’s problems, we can certainly help people that we know
who have nowhere else to turn,” Miller said.