Mr. Witt said Democrat Rep. Bill Foster’s vote will help provide healthcare coverage for the uninsured, who make up one-third of patients at the Catholic organization’s six hospitals.
Under reform, “a lot fewer people will be showing up without insurance,” Mr. Foster said. “By making health insurance more affordable for Americans who currently cannot access insurance these people will finally be able to see their own doctors regularly. Just as important, their doctors will be paid adequately for their work.”
Despite his general support, Mr. Witt said he also had some concerns about the bill, such as its funding sources and how it will affect the costs of providing services.
In the November election, Mr. Foster faces Republican Candidate Randy Hultgren, who aims to use Mr. Foster’s vote to unseat him.
Provena Health gained national attention earlier this month when the Illinois Supreme Court upheld the state’s denial of a property tax exemption for its Urbana, Ill., hospital, ruling that the system could not justify its tax-exempt status through charity care.
Read the Daily Herald’s report on health reform.
