It is crucial that the leaders and residents of Waukegan refuse to support Vista's proposal to move more resources to a new hospital while the needs of so many people continue to go unmet.
Vista, and its for-profit parent company need to make a full accounting of the investments they have made and how they have helped improve overall health care in the community. And we should require that further investments be made in collaboration with community organizations and with input from the public.
While we all support health care access for all, Vista needs to be fair and keep its promise to Waukegan first and foremost.
Vista made a promise to the state of Illinois and the people of Waukegan and the state must hold them to that promise and withhold approval of the new hospital until they live up to their 2006 commitment.
Abandoning their promise to Waukegan puts health care in jeopardy for those who can least afford to lose it. That is unacceptable.
Jackie Herrera Giron
Waukegan
