J B Powers on Stroger Hospital

Powers knocks MSM save the Daily Herald for not covering the proposed board for Stroger Hospital.

Perhaps overwhelmed by promotion of winning a date with Drew Peterson (Chicago Tribune), or championing the ”Midwest Teen Sex Show” (Sun-Times), our two leading print newspapers neglected to report the overhaul at Cook County Hospitals.

It is not all that shocking for the Trib and Sun-Times just to ignore an entire story; it is another matter entirely when they have covered a story thoroughly, then just stop. What it is about the biggest story in the County that would want to make our newspapers keep it under wraps? My suspicion is that Todd Stroger performing like a responsible manager and sensible politician does not fit the resume that has been concocted for him by the press, so the story was just stifled, until there is some unflattering detail to publish.

Ouch... JP, I linked the Herald story here. While it may be a good management move on Todd Stroger's part, it does look like a sole source deal with Rush (which maybe should have been the deal to make before building the new hospital).

This intervention by a US Senator and a Hospital Exec is going to be an interesting thing to watch.... Suggestions for the board would be forwarded to Stroger by a county health care group assembled by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and led by RUSH University Medical Center President Larry Goodman.

Durbin sure not a Cook County resident. Not certain about Goodman. So those elected by Cook County Residents can't govern a key County institution? If so, what qualifies this pair to do better?

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Cook County Recorder of Deeds: Moore on Smith; and Stroger Hospital Plan

Today's ST,

Moore is quick to claim that Smith is just another politician looking to pad his pension by jumping jobs.

"He just wants to get another salary -- that's all this is about," Moore said. "He's through in the 28th Ward, he knows it. I mean, the guy doesn't have a Walgreens in his ward."

Smith's office a stones-throw from what was once one the largest retail-powerhouses of Chicago: Madison and Pulaski. It's no more....

Also, the plan for an Independent board to govern Stroger Hospital,

• The board would comprise seven health care professionals nominated by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, but approved by the county board. Suggestions for the board would be forwarded to Stroger by a county health care group assembled by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and led by RUSH University Medical Center President Larry Goodman.

• The new seven-member board would select its own CEO and president.

• The system's board would have taxing authority, but its budget would be subject to final approval by the Cook County Board.

• All hiring and contract authority would be transferred to the health system board.

Sounds more like a sole source bid to Rush. Maybe just sell Stroger and bid the care competitively instead?

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