On [Feb. 9], south suburban residents had a chance to face the state health planning board about a proposal to close a hospital in Chicago Heights. The hearing lasted more than four hours, as several people spoke out in opposition to the plan.
Their pleas, though, will have no bearing on the board’s decision. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, in fact, has no authority to stop Franciscan St. James Health from closing the 312-bed hospital.
The board’s discretion was eliminated in July when Gov. Bruce Rauner signed legislation making it easier to close health care facilities in Illinois…Please click here to read Ameet Sachdev’s story in the Tribune.