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Rush-Copley CON update
On September 1, the Illinois Health Facility Planning Board (IHFPB) again considered the Rush-Copley CON application to build a freestanding emergency center in Yorkville. Previous board discussion focused on the original state legislation that allowed freestanding emergency centers to be built; the law was set to expire before the new facility could be completed. However, earlier this year legislation was passed that extended the law allowing freestanding emergency centers for consideration.
At the Sept. 1 meeting, John Diederich, Chief Operating Officer, read a statement outlining Rush-Copley’s reasoning for opening a freestanding emergency center in Yorkville, and also addressed the negative findings in the state agency report for its CON application.
While KishHealth System was not allowed to address any of the statements made by Rush-Copley, IHFPB board members did ask a number of questions. They asked for clarification on statements made and information that appears in the CON application.
The IHFPB is normally comprised of five voting members, although this past year it has been a four-member board, with one vacant seat. Controversy surrounding the board led to the resignation earlier this summer of the board’s chair, leaving a three-member board. With only three of the five-member board present at the Sept. 1 meeting, all three had to vote yes to approve a project. One board member voted against the Rush-Copley project, forcing an “an intent to deny” decision. The intent to deny decision allows Rush-Copley to ask the board to consider the project one more time.
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Valley West Community Hospital is contesting an application filed with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board to establish a freestanding emergency center in Yorkville.
Over 78% of Valley West’s emergency department visits come from the communities the proposed facility intends to serve. Valley West and the patients we serve will be negatively impacted if the application is approved.
Click here to watch video coverage of the CON hearing.
What’s at risk?
Health Services
Valued services we provide to the community:
- Cancer Care
- Cardiac Rehab
- Community Wellness
- Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology
- Diabetes Education
- Emergency Department
- Laboratory Services
- Maternity Suites
- Outpatient Dialysis
- Pain Management
- Rehab Services
- Respiratory Care
- Surgical Services
Community Benefits
May 2007 – April 2008, $13.7 million includes:
- $547,000 in charity care (free and discounted care)
- $3.5 million in Medicare/Medicaid unreimbursed costs
- $158,000 in donations (community sponsorships and inkind services)
- $3.2 million in subsidized services: diabetes education, social services, community wellness, employee assistance program, anesthesia coverage and physician recruitment
- $89,000 in other community benefits
Critical Access
- Valley West Community Hospital is federally designated as a Critical Access Hospital for the communities we serve.
- This designation was created by Congress in 1997 as a safety net to assure Medicare beneficiaries have access to health care services in rural areas.
- Without Valley West, our community would be without convenient and cost-effective medical care.
- Patient Services
Patient Services
January – December 2008
Valley West provided patient care for:
- 24,512 outpatient services ^^^
- 11,549 Emergency Department visits^^^
- 2,191 inpatient and outpatient surgeries^^^
Valley West provided education for:
- 6,651 Community Wellness and school education participants ^^^
- Over 1,500 people at the Valley West Community Wellness Fair
^^^ Calendar Year 2008 data
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Letters to the Editor
Please read the CON FACTS first before constucting your letter to the editor.
If you have questions or would like more information about Valley West’s opposition to the freestanding emergency center, please call 815.786.3788.
Letter Templates:
Anyone wanting to submit written comments on this project must submit these comments by 9 a.m., February 17, 2009.
Health Facilities Planning Board
525 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor Springfield, Illinois 62761
Voice: 217-782-3516.
TTY: 800-547-0466.
FAX: 217-785-4111
The Beacon News
Letter to the Editor
495 Commons Drive, Suite 200
Aurora, IL 60504
BeaconViewpoint@scn1.com
Kendall County Record – including the Plano Record and Sandwich Record
Letter to the Editor
P.O. Box J, Yorkville, IL 60560
Fax: 630-553-7085
kfarren@kendallcountyrecord.com
Oswego Ledger-Sentinel
Letter to the Editor
Ledger-Sentinel
P.O. Box 669
64 Main Street
Oswego, IL 60543
ledgersentinel@sbcglobal.net
Valley Free Press
Letter to the Editor
37 S. Main Street
Sandwich, IL 60548
Fax: 815-786-6768
vfpnews@vfpnews.com
The Daily Chronicle
Letter to the Editor
1586 Barber Greene Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
news@daily-chronicle.com
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