Blessing Health System officials held a public hearing on their proposed ASC project Aug. 19, local NBC affiliate WGEM reports.
What you should know:
1. Quincy, Ill.-based Blessing Health System operates a surgery center in a building owned by Quincy Medical Group. Blessing's lease with QMG doesn't expire until 2023, but system leaders have indicated they won't renew their lease at that time. QMG recently received state permission to open a new surgery center in Quincy, which will compete with Blessing's center.
2. Blessing officials are attempting to build a surgery center a block away from their existing center. They justified the move by saying that moving the surgery center to its main campus will create a facility patients "can feel invested in."
3. QMG CEO Carol Brockmiller questioned the proposal and the relocation. If the Blessing project is approved, QMG would utilize the space vacated by Blessing, pending state approval.
4. Quincy residents were split on the proposal. The Illinois Health Services and Review Board will issue its decision on the proposal Sept. 17. Five out of six board members will need to vote yes.