Opinion

Health board has outlived usefulness

Posted February 17, 2009 10:00 pm

One of the unfair criticisms of universal health care is the fear that patients' choices of physician or hospital may be taken away from them. What is the difference between that unrealistic fear and the reality of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board's power to remove the choice for residents of Plainfield to receive medical care in a hospital nearer to where they live? Given the current state of the economy, a project that creates jobs in both the construction and health care industries is not a bad idea either.

This is a board that was created in 1974 and was supposed to be disbanded in 2003. It has become a purely political appendage of government and serves no real purpose in a free market society except to waste Illinois taxpayers' money.

It is inconceivable that the IHFPB can render a fair decision in the case of a Plainfield Hospital after one board member is quoted as saying the process has been "four years of hell." Sounds like that vote has been predetermined regardless of any facts that might be presented.

This board has been tainted by corruption, and Illinois legislators and Governor Quinn should consider eliminating it. It has outlived its usefulness and is a detriment to providing quality health care in Illinois.

Diane Niesman

Wheaton

Article Comments

Article Categories
Communities Letters to the Editor Opinion Wheaton

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.