Quincy (Ill.) Medical Group denied a proposal from Quincy-based Blessing Hospital that would've made QMG physicians minority owners in Blessing's surgery center, the Herald-Whig reports.
What you should know:
1. BH pitched the plan as an alternative to QMG's $14.9 million standalone surgery center proposal. In it, QMG physicians would have had the option to buy 40 percent of Blessing Health's current surgery center.
2. To buy the center, the surgeons would sign noncompete agreements that would prohibit them from managing another surgery center within 30 miles of Quincy for three years after termination.
3. QMG CEO Carol Brockmiller denied the request and said QMG would continue to pursue its standalone surgery center. Ms. Brockmiller said, "We continue to believe there is a need for additional outpatient surgical facilities in the community, especially as we consider the recruitment of new physicians to the area, the growing trend toward outpatient care, the cost efficiency provided to patients and the aging population of our region."
4. Ms. Brockmiller added QMG would "continue to dialogue" with the hospital.
5. QMG's proposal is under review by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.