Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Facebook
Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Facebook
Westlake Hospital, the local medical facility that closed nearly two years ago, is now facing an easier pathway to resuming normal function under a new law that was approved by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on April 6.
The new legislation slashes the government red tape for a potential buyer to reopen the safety-net medical facility. A health care provider will be excused from having to acquire a “certification of need.”
“Health care is a right, not a privilege and making sure people have equal access to quality health care is a top priority for this administration,” Pritzker said in a press release. “Reopening Westlake Hospital is a step toward addressing longstanding disparities in our health care system that have left some residents without the medical care they desperately need.”
Health care providers that are interested in reopening Westlake must pledge to spend at least $20 million on new construction projects needed to improve the establishment. Additionally, they must commit to purchasing new equipment.
Lawmakers commented on the new funds, thanking the governor for approving the effort.
"After fighting more than a year to keep Westlake Hospital open, I thank Governor JB Pritzker for swiftly signing SB 168 into law," Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch wrote in a Facebook post. "Because of our quick action, it's now easier to sell and reopen Westlake Hospital since it serves underserved, low-income communities — something that's absolutely needed right now. This is a good example of how to address administrative barriers that have ended up institutionalizing racial and socioeconomic disparities. Equity requires intentionality and I'm glad we were able to make this happen for families in the western suburbs."
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