A controversial new hospital project in North Liberty, Iowa, is once again making the news as its University of Iowa Health Care operators are highlighting the location's future use as a major orthopedic center against local community wishes, The Gazette reported Jan. 4.
After an initial application to brand the new hospital as heavily focused on orthopedic care was rejected because of opposition from other local providers, UIHC officials revised wording on a second application removing such emphasis that was subsequently approved. Now that building on the $525 million project is in full flow, they are making no secret of the wish to have the location focused on orthopedics.
"In 2025, we will move the department to a new musculoskeletal hospital in North Liberty," Larry Marsh, MD, chair of the UI department of orthopedics and rehabilitation, said in an email, according to the report. There was also a section in the email labeled "Orthopedic Hospital Under Construction."
The new project is the most expensive in Iowa's history and has ballooned in costs since initial estimates because of inflationary pressures.