Public hearing held on Oak Forest Hospital

  

July 14, 2011 (OAK FOREST, Ill.) -- People on both sides of the debate over the possible closure of Oak Forest Hospital faced off at a public hearing Thursday.

The hearing was held by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. That panel has three new members and will vote on the hospital's future August 16.

In May, the board voted to keep the hospital open even though Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other officials say the facility will better serve the south suburbs as an outpatient center.

"The strategic plan and this transformation of oak forest hospital is about two things: ensuring the survival of our public healthcare system in the 21st century and providing the best quality of care for the greatest number of people," Preckwinkle said.

Hospital patients, former staff and community representatives are fighting to keep the hospital open.

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