Lang
8/7/21
Some big names are endorsing a second attempt by University of Iowa Health Care to build a new clinic in North Liberty.
Last February, the State Health Facilities Council denied UI Health’s request to build a 36-bed general acute hospital at the corner of Highway 965 and Forevergreen Road. A new 45-bed, 300,000 square foot proposal was submitted to the council in May. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that the new proposal has received written endorsements from Mary Ferentz, former Hawkeye quarterback Chuck Long, North Liberty Mayor Terry Donohue, Coralville Mayor John Lundell, Democratic state Senators Dave Jacoby of Coralville and Kevin Kinney of Oxford, Republican state Senator Mark Costello of Imogene, as well as local business, medical and church leaders. In all, the council received 69 letters of support. There were 80 letters against the project, including some from representatives of opposing medical facilities.
Opponents call the proposed clinic predatory. UI Health officials claim beds are full at the UI Hospitals and Clinics’ main facility, there’s not enough room to meet the demand of surgical suites, and they’re accepting more patients from community hospitals that don’t have the technology to handle more difficult cases.
The first proposal was defeated by a 3-2 vote. One of the “no” votes has since resigned from the board. The board will consider the new $230 million proposal on August 31st.