Report: Hospital Closure Would Hurt Access To Care
CHICAGO (AP) - A new Illinois report restates a warning that the proposed closure of a suburban Chicago hospital could make it tougher on the uninsured.
Tuesday's report was prepared by staff of a state board that's expected to decide May 10 whether to approve the hospital closure.
Cook County plans to turn Oak Forest Hospital into an outpatient care center.
The report says closing the hospital would increase the need for intensive care beds and nursing home beds in the area. It cautions of an apparent "adverse impact on access to care," given the large number of poor patients the hospital serves.
The county is responding with a statement pledging its "unwavering" commitment to caring for the uninsured. The statement says board members have "the information they need to approve this project."
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
