Hunter
08/09/21
After originally denied approval to build a $230 million facility in North Liberty, University of Iowa Health Care will have their revamped proposal considered by the State Health Facilities Council at the end of this month.
The Gazette reports that the Council voted 3-2 against the proposal on February 17th, followed by a resubmitted application on May 20th. The new application reportedly clarifies the need for a 48-bed, 300,000 square foot facility while easing fears that it will steal business from other community health providers and put some of the smaller ones out of business.
Letters opposing the project’s original proposal nearly doubled those in favor, 53-27. With the revamped proposal, 80 letters oppose the project, with 69 supporting.
The paper says that some of the more high-profile letters of support come from former Hawkeye Chuck Long, Mary Ferentz, North Liberty mayor Terry Donohue, Coralville mayor John Lundell, and state senators Mark Costello, Dave Jacoby and Kevin Kinney.
Those opposing the project include area physicians, clinics and hospitals.
One of the council members who voted against the original project has resigned. Carol Earnhardt was replaced by Governor Kim Reynolds with Kelly Blackford, a Republican from Marion. That brings the number of Republicans on the five-member council to three; the other two are an independent and a Libertarian.
The Council will meet on August 31st to consider the UIHC proposal.
