Access to urgent medical care is now a top concern for South Haven city leaders, after the City Council agreed Monday to add urgent care and expanded medical services to its list of strategic priorities for the next fiscal year.
The discussion came during a broader review of priorities for 2026–2027, where Ward 2 Councilmember Tom Capps raised the issue and several council members pointed to what they described as a growing gap in local healthcare access.
Council members said residents are often forced to rely on the emergency room for non-emergency issues or travel outside the area for treatment—something they argue is no longer sustainable, especially during the busy summer tourism season.
“We shouldn’t have to drive 15 or 20 miles for urgent care,” said Councilmember Mary Hosley.
Growing Demand, Limited Access
City leaders said the issue is compounded by South Haven’s unique population swings. While the year-round population is relatively small, city leaders acknowledge it can surge to an estimated 70,000 people in the summer months.
City officials say that puts added strain on existing services, particularly with no dedicated urgent care facility currently operating in the immediate area.
Council members also referenced the closure of a previous urgent care center roughly a decade ago, calling it a “huge loss” that continues to impact residents today.
Public feedback appears to reinforce those concerns. Mayor Annie Brown said a recent informal outreach effort via social media showed urgent care was among the most frequently requested priorities from residents.
City Role Likely Limited to Facilitation
Despite the strong support, council members acknowledged the city itself is unlikely to build or fund a medical facility.
Instead, the focus will be on working with regional providers, including Bronson Healthcare and potentially Corewell Health, identifying gaps in current services, and exploring ways the city could support or incentivize new development.
City Manager Kate Hosier said the effort will likely begin as a “scoping” process, aimed at understanding what is feasible and what barriers exist.
“There are a lot of unknowns,” Hosier said, noting that healthcare expansion often involves regulatory hurdles and market considerations beyond the city’s direct control.
Regional Efforts Already Underway
Officials noted that Corewell Health is already be exploring the possibility of opening an urgent care facility in a nearby township, which could help address some of the demand.
Still, council members emphasized the importance of ensuring services are located close enough to effectively serve South Haven residents and visitors.
Balancing Priorities
The addition of urgent care comes as city staff are already managing several major initiatives, including a new short-term rental program and the launch of a municipal lifeguard system.
City officials expressed concern about stretching staff too thin, suggesting the urgent care effort may move forward gradually as an exploratory initiative.
In the end, the council chose to keep all four of its top priorities intact—including urgent care—signaling broad agreement on the issue’s importance.
Looking Ahead
City leaders say the next steps will likely involve further discussions with healthcare providers, possible regional collaboration, and a deeper analysis of what it would take to bring urgent care services back to the South Haven area.
For now, officials say the goal is clear: making sure residents and visitors have better access to timely medical care closer to home.
