Review board rejects Quincy Medical Group proposal for $61.1 million hospital

QUINCY — Quincy Medical Group’s proposed $61.1 million hospital was rejected 4-2 Wednesday by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. 

A press release from Quincy Medical Group noted that the Intent to Deny that was issued by the HFSRB is “not uncommon” for proposed projects. QMG is allowed to submit additional information for the board’s consideration. It has proposed building a 28-bed hospital at the Quincy Town Center, which already is home to the QMG Surgery Center and Cancer Institute.

“We appreciated the opportunity to present our proposed project,” said Carol Brockmiller, chief executive officer of Quincy Medical Group, in a prepared statement. “Two members of the (Certificate of Need) Board called the QMG Hospital project a ‘breath of fresh air,’ and we couldn’t agree more. 

“Limited healthcare options have resulted in Quincy-area residents paying disproportionately high rates for healthcare. We remain steadfast in our commitment to this project and our commitment to drive down healthcare costs in our community and make the very best in patient care accessible to all. We respect the HFSRB’s feedback on our project and look forward to providing additional information.”

An HFSRB staff report noted that QMG’s proposal raised concerns about accessibility and duplicated services. The board said only 14 percent of patients seen by QMG physicians go on to be cared for at Blessing Hospital. Brockmiller previously has said that number is closer to 66 percent. The board requires 50 percent.

The HFSRB staff will review any additional information from Quincy Medical Group and issue a supplemental report. The HFSRB Board allows for 11 members, but it only has seven current board members. Six of the seven were present for the discussion of the QMG project earlier this month. Rules require six votes for project approval. 

QMG’s proposed hospital would have 25 medical-surgical beds; three labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms; an emergency department with 10 bays; a C-section suite; three operating rooms; and one procedure room. It also would have a post-anesthesia care unit, laboratory, pharmacy and imaging department. 

Three of the medical-surgical beds would be equipped to serve as negative pressure rooms, or isolation rooms, to aid in infectious disease outbreaks.

“We are humbled by the hundreds of patients who have told the certificate of need board they want and need this hospital,” Dr. Todd Petty, QMG surgeon and board chair, said in a prepared statement. “We are confident that with additional information, the HFSRB will approve the project. The community is overwhelmingly supportive and understands that we pay more for hospital-based care.”

Quincy Medical Group had hoped to open the new hospital in 2024 or 2025.

“We are pleased by the board’s decision today to support continuing the important work of providing high-quality and affordable care for the Quincy community and beyond,” said Maureen Kahn, president and CEO of Blessing Health System, in a prepared statement. “Ultimately, the state’s standard for approval of a CON of this type is community need, and it was clear today that our region is well served by the existing healthcare structure.”