IU Health West to stop valet parking, sparking outrage among senior and disabled patients
Linda Nield, 71, uses a walker and relies on the valet parking when she sees her cardiologist at Indiana University Health West every few months. So the Plainfield resident was outraged when she heard the hospital was doing away with valet parking at the end of this year.
The parking lot fills up quick and wraps around the side and back of the hospital, meaning that if Nield drives herself, she will have a lengthy walk to the main entrance, she said.
"It's going to be a big problem for a lot of people, especially people with mobility issues," she said. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
The decision has sparked outrage among older, disabled and chronically-ill patients, leaving some to wonder if they can keep their appointments if they don't have a family or friend to drive them to the hospital.
Several IUH West patients told the IndyStar they were surprised that a major health system with billions in its budget would consider discontinuing such an important service.
IUH West cited financial pressures leading to the decision to end free valet parking program by the end of this year. IU Health did not share the cost of valet service.
The Avon hospital reported that it earned $32 million more than it spent in 2022, according to financial reports published by the state health department.
IU Health said it's converting the limited valet parking spots into handicapped spots for patients and exploring options to offer additional assistance to patients who relied on valet parking.
IU Health still offers valet parking at its Bloomington hospital, Riley Hospital for Children and its main campus by downtown.
Beki Adams-Poe, who uses the service at IU Health West, posted on social media app Next Door that the cost of the service likely dwarfs the CEO's bonus.
Dennis Murphy, the CEO and president of IU Health, received a bonus of $2.3 million in 2021 in additional to his $1.7 million base pay and another $1.6 million in other pay and benefits, according to the latest tax documents available. His salary was about $2 million less the previous year.
"I am stunned a hospital the size of IU couldn't provide this," Adams-Poe said to the IndyStar.
She's especially worried about her husband Ted Poe. At 74, Poe suffers from lung and circulation issues, making it hard for him to walk in cold and humid weather.
The lack of valet parking may be even more dire for Pat Hale, 77, and Sue Squiller, 75, who are single and widowed respectively.
"We both don't have somebody available handy to take us to the hospital," said Hale during an IndyStar interview with her and Squiller.
Squiller suffers from a bad back and gets out of breath walking due to pulmonary issues.
"The able bodied CEO and his compatriots don't realize just how much it (valet parking) means to people who aren't able bodied," she said.
Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 and Bhuang@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU Health West ends valet parking, sparking outrage among seniors
