The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has turned down Cook County's proposal to close Oak Forest (Ill.) Hospital, according to a WBEZ news report.
The county moved to close the hospital because it believes replacing the facility with an outpatient clinic could reap more cost-savings while still providing residents access to healthcare. The review board turned away the proposal, saying the closure could actually negatively impact patient access to care since there are so few healthcare options in the community, according to the news report.
Local residents applauded the review board's rejection. However, the county is likely to resubmit its request to close the hospital with more information supporting its reasoning. "We can actually expand access by doing this, but any time you talk about shutting down or closing services, I think you get that kind of reaction," said Oak Forest Hospital CEO Bill Foley.
Read the news report about Cook County's request to shut down Oak Forest Hospital.
Read other coverage about hospital closures:
- Hospital Authority Calls on Grady to Justify Clinic Closures
- Doctors' Hospital of Michigan Will Delay Decision on Closure
The county moved to close the hospital because it believes replacing the facility with an outpatient clinic could reap more cost-savings while still providing residents access to healthcare. The review board turned away the proposal, saying the closure could actually negatively impact patient access to care since there are so few healthcare options in the community, according to the news report.
Local residents applauded the review board's rejection. However, the county is likely to resubmit its request to close the hospital with more information supporting its reasoning. "We can actually expand access by doing this, but any time you talk about shutting down or closing services, I think you get that kind of reaction," said Oak Forest Hospital CEO Bill Foley.
Read the news report about Cook County's request to shut down Oak Forest Hospital.
Read other coverage about hospital closures:
- Hospital Authority Calls on Grady to Justify Clinic Closures
- Doctors' Hospital of Michigan Will Delay Decision on Closure