RICHMOND, Va. — Capital Area Health Network (CAHN), a non-profit organization that provides vital healthcare services to individuals covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and those without insurance, has announced the closure of three of its Richmond medical centers. The closures, which took effect on February 3, 2025, are the result of unforeseen federal restrictions under the new Presidential administration, forcing the organization to consolidate operations.
The affected centers — Bermuda Medical Center, Southside Medical Center, and Greater Fulton Medical Center — had long served as essential healthcare providers to vulnerable populations in the Richmond area. CAHN’s announcement stated that patients seeking services at these locations will now be transferred to other facilities, including Vernon J. Harris Medical and Dental Center, Northside Medical Center, and Pediatric Medical Center.
The closures are expected to have a severe impact on the Greater Fulton neighborhood, which has already been grappling with a lack of essential services. Breanne Armbrust, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC), expressed deep concern about the community’s ability to cope with the loss of these medical centers.
“We are the only part of the entire city that doesn’t have a bank, a grocery store, an ATM, public school, public library — and now, medical care,” Armbrust said. “This is decades of divestment and disinvestment from the community. This is yet another blow to a community that has already been reeling.”
The loss of local healthcare access raises serious concerns, particularly for residents who are elderly, disabled, or lack reliable transportation. Armbrust highlighted the challenges these individuals would face in seeking medical care at the remaining facilities, many of which are located far from the affected neighborhoods.
“For someone living in Fulton, it can take five hours to even get into The Fan,” she explained. “If you rely on public transportation, the amount of time it takes with transfers and other barriers is immense. For someone with chronic health issues or disabilities, this is a real challenge.”
Despite the urgency of the situation, both CAHN and the Mayor’s Office have not responded to multiple requests for comment from 8News.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Department of Health has acknowledged the closures but stated that it does not oversee the affected clinics. The department confirmed that it is monitoring the situation closely, but it remains unclear what steps will be taken to address the gaps in healthcare access for those most in need.
As the community navigates this crisis, local residents and advocates are calling for immediate action to ensure healthcare services are restored in the areas most impacted by these closures. Without such services, many worry that the already vulnerable population in these neighborhoods will face even greater health disparities in the months ahead.
