Rep. Rush: We need to probe Chicago hospital

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush wants a congressional hearing into allegations the University of Chicago Medical Center has refused treatment to low-income, uninsured patients.

In a May 25 letter to New York Democratic Rep. Ed Towns, Rush said the issue of low-income and uninsured people seeking treatment being turned away from hospitals is a problem nationwide. Towns is chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Specifically, Rush is expressing concern over the University of Chicago Medical Center's Hospitals' Urban Health Initiative, which steers patients who lack private insurance to other facilities.

The American College of Emergency Physicians has expressed concern that the policy comes close to patient dumping.

Hospital officials say the initiative offers patients quicker and less expensive care at neighborhood clinics.