Hunter
05/26/21
University of Iowa Health Care has reapplied for state permission to build a new medical facility in North Liberty.
The Gazette reports that the first request was denied after community hospitals and clinics claimed that the UI was overstepping its bounds and a new facility might put them out of business.
The new application leaves the new facility at its original location, on the southwest corner of Forevergreen Road and Highway 965, but it is re-submitting its request under the guise of a modernization of its health facility. It includes improvements at its home campus on Hawkins Drive in Iowa City as well as the proposed location.
The paper quotes the application as saying, “UIHC’s current infrastructure is inadequate to meet Iowa’s current tertiary care needs, let alone Iowa’s anticipated future need.” Officials stressed that they’re characterizing much of the proposed construction as providing “tertiary care.”
The original application was denied by the State Health Facilities Council on February 17th, saying in their written decision that UIHC failed to meet its four-pronged legal standard for certification.
Responses to the updated University’s proposal from entities, organizations, and providers that could be affected by the new application is due by June 16th; the Council will consider the UIHC proposal on July 15th.