4 years, 7 months ago by Scott Hardy
Center to be near main campus at 12th and Spring; to be completed by January 2022
A state review board has given Blessing Health System the OK to build a new $21 million Surgery Center near its' main Quincy campus.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved Blessing's request Tuesday to build a two-story Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center, or ASTC. The Review Board heard Blessing's request even after Quincy Medical Group filed a request two weeks ago, asking for a delay in hearing Blessing's application. QMG said that Blessing needed to provide the Review Board with more information. In its' application, filed June 28th, Blessing says it needs to build the new 35,000 square foot center because the current Surgery Center on Hampshire will "compromise Blessing's ability to compete and generate revenue to provide safety net services." They add that opening its' own Surgery Center would "create a level playing field for competing in the ASTC market in Quincy".
Blessing estimates that it will save $1.4 million a year in operating costs with its' own Surgery Center. They currently lease the space from QMG, who is in the process of building its' own Surgery Center in the former Bergner's building in the Quincy Mall. Blessing also says that the new Surgery Center will improve access to care. Documents show that Blessing plans to pay for the new facility through cash on hand, and offering $10 million in bonds.
After Tuesday's decision, Blessing Health System President/CEO Maureen Kahn released a statement, saying “Once the surgery center relocation and modernization project is complete, patients will have the convenience of outpatient care with the security of being in close proximity to the Hospital and they will ultimately have access to high quality care at competitive prices."
Blessing says the Review Board's decision allows it to get started on construction this year for the new Surgery Center, which it estimates will be open by the end of January, 2022.
