A diamond in the rough??

I'm doubting anyone outside the Chicagoland area has heard of St. Francis Hospital. Although, I think everyone should - not because it is special, but because I think it reflects our health care issues. The ones that are almost drowning folks in the working class.

Back in April, St. Francis Hospital announced that they would be closing. This would be a tremendous hit to the area. Many are employed here and many need the medical services provided here.

Like most hospitals, that can't turn away the sick, they were drowning in unpaid medical visits.

SSM has invested more than $75 million to upgrade the hospital, but still lost millions per year. Since 2002, the hospital has lost $40 million, and it is projected to lose $20 million this year alone, SSM said.

My question is how did they hold on for so long?

Today, it was announced in the Sun Times, that this hospital WILL NOT CLOSE. No lie, read it with my own eyes. Instead it will be purchased by some investment group, that will change the name and make it a for-profit hospital.

Evidently, they, the investment group, has done this before. My thoughts are - HOW?

Won't the same area residents need care there? Aren't these the same folks that can't afford to pay? Is the hospital allowed to turn unable to pay patients away if it is a for-profit?

Fascinating how these people can see the potential. Since the first news broke about the closing, I have been saying how you would need to be an idiot or rich eccentric with nothing to do - to buy this place.