Dayton Residents Demand Vote on Hospital Initiative Amid Community Health Concerns

Community voices echoed loudly at the Dayton City Commission meeting on July 16, 2025, as residents passionately advocated for the restoration of healthcare services in the wake of the closure of Good Samaritan Hospital. Speakers highlighted a growing sense of urgency and frustration over the lack of accessible medical facilities, particularly for vulnerable populations.

One resident, who helped gather over 5,500 signatures for a petition, emphasized the need for public participation in democracy, urging citizens to engage with local government and express their concerns. “People are afraid to come down here and talk to you guys. That’s not okay,” they stated, calling for a more welcoming environment for community dialogue.

Lynn Lamance, a Fairview neighborhood resident, shared her personal experience, stressing the dire need for maternity services in the area. “You cannot have a baby at that Grandview Hospital,” she lamented, pointing to alarming statistics regarding maternal health disparities affecting Black women. Lamance urged city officials to prioritize funding for healthcare facilities over other projects, highlighting the immediate need for a maternity ward and neonatal unit.

Hillary Lerman, a long-time Dayton resident, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the influence of corporate entities like Premier Health on local healthcare decisions. “We should decide not what makes money but what's in the interest of the people,” she asserted, calling for action against monopolistic practices that threaten community health.

The meeting underscored a collective demand for accountability and action from city leaders to address the healthcare crisis in Dayton. As residents rallied for change, the call for a return to accessible medical services resonated strongly, leaving city officials with a clear message: the community's health cannot be sidelined.